Edward Feild Primary School in Kidlington unveiled the forest-themed reading sanctuary on April 17 after a major fundraising campaign and a burst of community effort.

Jo Cotterill, an award-winning author and patron of the Oxfordshire Book Awards, officially opened the new space, which holds 2,500 books and replaces a 30-year-old library.

Ms Cotterill said: “This new library is so cheerful.

“A library was always my safe place; there is something truly special about being in one.

“The fact that you can borrow books for free and read them is simply amazing.

“In a library, you can go on adventures that you can’t go on in real life – you might not come out the same person who went in.”

During the event, she read from her first published book, Moondance, and donated a copy to the new library, along with her latest title.

Scott Lewis, headteacher at Edward Feild Primary School, said: “This isn’t just a room with books; it’s a sanctuary.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Jo Cotterill for inspiring us today, and to the Friends of Edward Feild.

“We owe so much to our volunteers, who helped us achieve the impossible by getting this all done in just 12 days.”

Assistant headteacher Chris Tupling said: “The woodland theme was a deliberate choice to bring the calming, imaginative benefits of forest school indoors.

“In a year where we are celebrating the joy of reading nationally, this library provides the perfect environment for our pupils to develop a lifelong love of literature.”

With a history spanning 40 years, originating with the acquisition of Little Whittenham Wood by the Northmoor Trust for Countryside Conservation in 1982, the charity rebranded as Earth Trust in 2011.

It’s mission is to connect people to nature, “both for their own wellbeing and to inspire action to protect the natural world for the future”.

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Wednesday saw the world celebrate Earth Day, a global event dedicated to environmental protection, raising awareness about pollution, climate change, and sustainability, which began in 1970.

Inspired by the global day of environmental protection, there couldn’t be a better time to look back at the work of a charity working for the good of the world from within Oxfordshire.

Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to find pictures of Earth Trust over the years.

Around 300 members of Oxfordshire Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) took part in the event, which featured a variety of activities including tug of war, stock judging, first aid, horse knowledge, and cookery.

A spokesman for Bicester and Islip YFC said: “It was brilliant day, with members show casing their talent and trying new competitions.

“Most importantly they had fun.”

They also said they are ‘looking forward’ to the Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show and Rally on Sunday 24th May at South Farm, Shifford.

Adding: “It will be a great day out for all the family, with YFC competitions, polo demonstration, heavy horses, sheep shearing, steam engines, vintage tractors, dog show, craft barn and trade stands.”

Long-time supporters and former YFC members were on hand to help judge the competitions.

The Oxfordshire YFC county show and rally will include a packed line-up of events for all ages, from heavy horses and sheep shearing to a dog show, craft barn and vintage tractors.