5:10pm Monday 29th September 2008
ROMSEY Hospital has been presented with 34 brand new books by the town's Volumes Bookshop and its cutomers.
The donation was made under the national Books for Hospitals' scheme and Volumes' proprietor Simon Hunter said: "Part of the policy of the shop is to support the local community and the hospital is a really important part of that community.
"Reading brings a lot of pleasure to many people and I hope that the books donated by some of our customers and ourselves will bring many hours of enjoyment. You can't beat a good book to while away the hours."
He confirmed that Volumes would again be running the Books for Hospitals' scheme next May from its new shop in Latimer Walk.
"The books donated by customers and Volumes are a varied range of titles that will appeal to many users of the library and include new titles and favourite classics like Tess of the D'Urbervilles, the current TV hit."
In welcoming the donation, Romsey Hospital League of Friends trustee Mavis Onslow, who is one of two people looking after the books, said: "Every week, either I or Mrs Hill who lives near the hospital and initiated the talking books scheme there, go to see the patients to ask if they would like a book.
"Those fit enough to reads are pleased to choose something. If there is an avid realer I will go back again a few days later to offer another book. I am sure these patients will be delighted with the gift from Volumes."
Mrs Una Harding, one of the patients who loves to read, said: "A book is better than a sleeping pill at night."
And another, Mrs Cissie North, commented: "I don't know what I would do without a book."
League of Friends' spokesperson Jean Denham said: "They are wonderful books and there are some brand new times. Volumes and its customers have done us proud."
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