An inflatable owl cut the ribbons to reopen the library at Medstead CE Primary School after a £6,000 revamp.

Former interim headteacher Mark Sammes was the man in the suit with the scissors for the ceremony on November 6, which was attended by all the pupils.

Of his transformation into a bird of prey, Mr Sammes said: “It was a very pleasant surprise. It’s the lovely thing about Medstead, you never know what’s going to happen.”

Former interim headteacher Mark Sammes dressed as an owl to cut the ribbons to open the revamped library at Medstead CE Primary School, accompanied by librarian Carol White, November 6th 2026.
Mark Sammes prepares to cut the ribbons to open the revamped library, accompanied by Carol White. (Iliffe Media/Paul Coates)

Kate Silver - co-chair of the Friends of Medstead School, its PTA - said: “The PTA at Medstead Primary School have led fundraising efforts from children and families over the last school year to revamp our school library.

“Together we have fundraised for lots of new books, furniture, redecoration and fun accessories to make the library a cosy, welcoming and exciting space for the children during 2026, the National Year of Reading.”

The library was redecorated with a woodland theme to reflect the school’s location and make it a peaceful place to sit and read.

Kate explained that the pupils had generated most of the money themselves through activities linked to the theme of 2026.

She said: “The children collectively raised £5,019.95 through their individual Easter 2026 challenges.

“They were challenged to raise £26 each through any challenge they chose. This involved their friends and family sponsoring them for anything from 26 handstands in different places to baking 26 scones or doing 26 individual challenges.”

The pupil librarians get their first look inside the revamped Medstead Primary School library, November 6th 2026.
The pupil librarians get their first look inside the revamped library. (Iliffe Media/Paul Coates)

Other ideas included running 26 laps of a park, reading 26 books and doing a jigsaw puzzle with 2,026 pieces.

Kate added: “The remaining fundraising has come from all the events and initiatives that the Friends of Medstead School PTA have held throughout the year, through generous donations from Medstead families.”

Katie Noice, the other co-chair of the Friends of Medstead School, said: “The 2026 fundraising theme came about because we wanted to link the National Year of Reading to the year of the library revamp. Lots of the children got involved.

“We just wanted to ignite more interest in reading among the children. There is so much to see. The parents are having a look tonight and then the children will be able to use the library from next week.”