Falmouth Toy Library is celebrating its 25th anniversary by moving into its new home at the Dracaena Centre and is hoping to boost its membership by offering special deals throughout the month.

The toy library had been housed in the Children’s Centre behind Kimberley Park, but the decision was made to relocate to the community centre.

Shelley Hassall, toy library co-ordinator, said: “We feel the Dracaena Centre is going to open things up for us and provide more opportunities.”

The official opening of the new facility took place on Monday and from now on the toy library will be open for business between 9.30am and 11.30am every Monday and from 12.30pm until 2.30pm on Fridays.

In addition, Shelley operates an outreach facility every Tuesday morning between 9.30am and 11.30am when a selection of toys is available at the Ord Statter Pavilion in Mylor.

Although its membership is already approaching 1,000, Shelley is hopeful its new location will entice many more parents to take advantage of what is has to offer. 

“We have Old Hill on the doorstep now so hopefully we will get people here who really need the facility,” she said. “Sometimes people are financially strapped and some toys are very expensive, we have some that would cost £100, so it enables parents to access toys that perhaps ordinarily they would not be able to. It also gives them a chance to try before they buy.”

The facility is aimed at children up to six-years-old and is stocked full of traditional toys such as board games, jigsaws, construction sets, action toys. There are catalogues detailing all that is available, divided into age groups.

Normally, it costs £5 to become a member and just £4 to renew that on an annual basis. It then costs between 20 pence and £1.50 to borrow a toy for up to two weeks. However, to celebrate its new home, the toy library is offering free membership to anyone who signs up before March 20 while existing customers can take advantage of a BOGOF offer – borrow one, get one free.

As well as enabling people to borrow toys to take home with them, the library is also holding stay and play sessions to encourage parents to interact with their youngsters and with each other.

The library, which is now one of the biggest of its kind in the county, is a charity which relies on its membership and loan fees to keep going, but is also very happy to receive donations of unwanted, good quality toys.

Anyone who wants to learn more should pop along to one of the toy library’s sessions, call 01326 319414 or email admin@dracaenacentre.org.