A Bafta-winning broadcaster will be giving a talk about his latest novel in an event to raise funds for Kensal Rise Community library.

Brent & Kilburn Times: A community-run library will open within the building next yearA community-run library will open within the building next year (Image: Archant)

Melvyn Bragg will enlighten an audience about ‘Now is the Time’ as part of campaign to raise £100,000 needed for the library’s running costs.

All proceeds will go to the library which plans to open next year in a community space within the former council-run branch in Bathurst Gardens.

The branch was closed alongside five other by Brent Council in 2011 to save £1million-a-year.

Residents formed Friends of Kensal Rise Library (FKRL) to closure and after the branch was axed they launched a successful battle to be allocated space within the building to open a community-run reading room.

Margaret Bailey, Chairwoman of FKRL, said: “Our target is £100,000 and we have recently had a donation of £10,000, so we are on our way.

“We are currently fundraising and actively seeking grants, sponsors and benefactors.

“We have won the first battle; we will have a library back in our community, now we move on to the next chapter.

“We need to raise money to turn an empty space into a library and public place we can be proud of. We need to raise money to fit out the space and to run the service.”

Mr Bragg’s new book is set in 1381 when a vast force of common people – led by Walter Tyler and the priest John Ball, marched on London, protesting against unfair taxes, the corruption of those in power, and the unacceptable wealth of the church.

The special talk will take place at St Martin’s Church in Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, on November 8 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £7 each and are available to buy at L’Angolo Delicatessen at 120 College Road, Daniels Estate Agent at 77 Chamberlayne Road, and Queens Park Books at 87 Salusbury Road.

Limited tickets will be available at the door.