WHAT started as a fleeting idea a year ago has now become reality with the placement of one of the Sitting with Jane BookBenches at the Discovery Centre in Basingstoke town centre.

The presentation and installation of the ‘Girl Power’ BookBench was able to happen thanks to the work of the NorthHantsMum group, who campaigned, fundraised and purchased the bench to remain in the town at an auction last month.

On Saturday. 7 October, the bench was officially unveiled at the Discovery Centre with the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, councillor Paul Frankum as the guest of honour.

NorthHantsMum founder Louise told The Gazette: “It is fitting that we won the ‘Girl Power’ bench and that it is at the library surrounded by books and is a place for the community to go.

“The initial idea was to have a place to meet for mums in the area, but people got so caught up with the Sitting with Jane trail, that it has become more than that.

“It may only be a bench but it is the symbol of what it represents of the community coming together that I am most proud of.”

The NorthHantsMum group managed to raise £1,000 for the bench with an extra £500 being donated by The Topiary salon, in Old Basing, to win the bench at the charity auction.

Now the bench takes pride of place as visitors enter the Discovery Centre.

Library manager Kim Hawker said: “When the NorthHantsMum group got in touch with us, we felt really honoured that they wanted to donate the bench to us.

“The whole trail really captured the imagination of everyone so it is nice to be able to keep the spirit of that event going be being the permanent home to the ‘Girl Power’ bench.

“We have already seen families and children enjoying it, and with us being the home of books it couldn’t be more fitting.”

The auction of the BookBenches last month raised more than £70,000 for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity.