In 1994, the TWGGS PTA spearheaded a campaign for a major upgrade and refurbishment of our Library and we are still enjoying the beautiful design thirty years later. As with most of our new school buildings, and any major refurbishment, we stand on the shoulders of parents who have gone before us. It is because of their considerable fundraising efforts that we are able to continue enjoying their legacies many years later. Last week, we were honoured to host one of those PTA members who came to see us, and we were delighted to show how the Library is still going strong after she last saw it twenty-five years ago. As a parent of two pupils, Cara and Kelda who joined TWGGS in 1990 and 1994 respectively, Mrs Carolyn Belcham joined the PTA soon after Cara arrived, helping with second-hand uniform and events for parents and staff. 'In 1994,' Carolyn told us, 'the PTA, with great encouragement from the head, staff, governors, parents and pupils, decided that the tired school library needed a complete refurbishment and a £80,000 appeal was launched.' For the next two years, as you can see from the Courier article Mrs Belcham brought in, all fundraising events were dedicated to the project. These events included an Auction of Promises, including all sorts of prizes such as a week's boating holiday on the River Thames, to babysitting and dog walking services, even a visit to Tunbridge Wells Fire Station! The PTA also put on a Gardening Question Time evening, a barn dance, quiz nights with food, and iced buns were sold to the pupils once a week, bought from a local bakery at cost. Works could then begin. It was discovered there was a false ceiling in the old library, and the architect was able to use the extra ceiling height to add the upstairs area and to make the rest of the library feel more spacious and open. By the beginning of 1996, £64,000 had been spent on the main alterations including the mezzanine floor, which is our current Sixth Form-only space. Later that year, work started on the Upper Library by replacing the windows, improving the electrics and redecorating, finally resourcing a technology area and replacing the old bookshelves and stocking more books. 'It was a challenge, but also fun to do,' says Carolyn. She continued in the PTA the whole time her daughters were at TWGGS, helping at the Summer Fairs (which they eventually gave up as they were a lot of work for small return) and the Christmas Fairs. Helping with the cheese and wine evening for the new parents was also a yearly commitment. 'We hoped we could persuade some of them to help at various events! My daughters and I also served the teachers coffee at Parents' Evenings, the teachers certainly deserved that!' Mrs Belcham is also responsible for something the whole school can appreciate as they walk the corridors of the Centenary Building. She was able to see the fruits of her considerable labours in the shape of the old school photos lining the walls. Mrs Belcham explained that the photographs were found tightly rolled up and forgotten about at the back of an old cupboard in the staff corridor. 'I took them to a picture framer and he agreed (rather reluctantly!) to try and flatten them and frame them. It was hard work but he managed it and my husband and I presented them to the school.' It is lovely now for the pupils and staff to pass by these important displays of our history and community, and we thank Mrs Belcham for her efforts all those years ago.