Parents thank Jocelyn for her Bounce and Rhyme skills at Sidmouth Library

ANOTHER popular member of staff at Sidmouth Library retires this week following library funding cuts.

Jocelyn Edwards a part-time library assistant for 12 years, said goodbye to mums and babies at the library’s last Bounce and Rhyme session last week, and says she is “devastated” at having to go.

“I would still be here if the changes hadn’t come in and I would have worked into my seventies,” said Jocelyn, who is a retired primary school teacher and lives near Newton Poppleford.

She started the Bounce and Rhyme session at Sidmouth Library about 10 years ago.

She said: “It has been amazing, the joy I have had from these children who now come in to do Booktrack and I remember them when they were babies.

“I am a people person, especially children, they have been my life and I love them so much. It has been wonderful for me to see them grow and develop and keep using the library. One little girl has even started her own book club.”

Jocelyn, who leaves today, along with Gill Spence, said the Bounce and Rhyme sessions were held on Tuesday mornings, and were spent singing rhymes, playing percussion and using puppets.

Now the library is closed on Tuesdays, she is unsure whether the sessions will be continued.

“One mum said to me their child had learned so much, their language had developed, they remembered songs and enjoyed music,” said Jocelyn, who plans to visit her daughter and grandson in New York and son in Australia.

Bounce and Rhyme mum, Kelly Foster, said: “Everyone is sad it is closing. I’ve been going for two years with my children and there is not, at the moment, any other similar session that is free.”

A Sidmouth Library colleague said: “Jocelyn helped build up the Bounce and Rhyme sessions for mothers and babies, introducing them to the pleasures of libraries, and to stories and songs.

“She has been a huge success at this and very popular with all the mothers and babies. Her efforts have led to an increase in the junior membership of Sidmouth Library. She will be much missed.”