Rotarian Elizabeth Tatman, has been awarded the MBE by the Queen for services to children and families for her work as founder and chairman of Bolton Toy Library.
Elizabeth, who is a founder member and former president of the Rotary Club of Bolton Daybreak, founded the Bolton Toy Library 30 years ago with just two boxes of toys. It has since grown to an organisation of five staff with two transport vans and is a thriving children’s centre providing play facilities, toys and support to families who have children with special needs.
Elizabeth originally trained as a teacher and has been involved with services to families and children throughout her career. She is a firm believer that developing children’s play is the foundation for all learning. As chairman of the National Association of Toy Libraries, she has lectured in Moscow, Melbourne and Christchurch, New Zealand. More recently she set up a toy library in Lasi, Romania and since 1998 has developed and run courses for people who work with children in hospitals, institutions and schools.
Elizabeth said: “I am very proud to have been honoured in this way. However it is not just for me but for all those people, most of them volunteers, with whom I have worked in many children’s organisations.”
Elizabeth continues to play an active role at Bolton Toy Library as chairman of the committee and has responsibility for staff and publicity.
