Bookshop donates £3,000 to schools and library

18 hours ago

Hattie McCannand

Jonathan Morris,Devon

News image — Castle Books said it "feels good to help people" at a time when schools and charities are constantly trying to plug funding gaps

BBC The picture shows a child sitting on a soft, green carpeted floor and reading a small illustrated book. The child is holding the book open on their lap, turning a page to a chapter that includes a colourful drawing of a character. Only the back of the child’s head, shoulders and hands are visible, so you cannot identify them. — Castle Books said it "feels good to help people" at a time when schools and charities are constantly trying to plug funding gaps

A bookshop has begun 2026 by handing thousands of pounds to local schools and the town library.

It follows a record year at Castle Books in Totnes that volunteers said proved the power of a community that loved reading.

The second‑hand bookshop, run entirely by volunteers, reinvests all profits into local literacy projects.

Its strong 2025 performance allowed it to donate £1,000 each to Totnes St John's C of E Primary School, the Grove School and Totnes Library, staff said.

The picture shows a cosy reading area where several children are sitting together with books. Some are settled on a sofa while others are on the floor on a green rug, each absorbed in their own story. The space is decorated with a small tree and greenery along the wall, as well as a low table with colourful pens and craft materials. — Totnes St John's C of E Primary School, the Grove School and Totnes Library have all benefited

St John's head teacher Rachel Patterson said: "Castle Books' £1,000 donation was the best possible Christmas present for our children."

The school was using the money to buy new books to "educate, inspire and support every child", she said.

The Grove said it planned to use its grant to create a quiet reading space, helping young pupils fall in love with books.

Totnes Library said it had used its £1,000 to improve a teen area, creating a space that felt more welcoming.

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Library supervisor Rosie Johnson said: "It's the little bit of extra that doesn't come from our contract with the council to be able to really spruce up the place and make it really inviting for the teenagers."

She added that the "fun, welcoming space" had resulted in a noticeable rise in teens visiting after school.

Castle Books director Francis Checkley said the entire purpose of the shop was to keep money circulating locally in ways that genuinely helped families.

He said: "Much of the money that we make is siphoned back into the community.

"I would think probably in the past 10 years we've probably given as much as £25,000 to £30,000 to the community."

He added that it "feels good to help people" at a time when schools and charities were trying to plug funding gaps.

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