FORGET the wardrobe in the tales of Narnia, West Devon has its own doorway to a hidden home. Joan Williams lives in a converted ginger beer factory, accessed through an alley way in Tavistock?s Brook Street, where she runs ?Bookworm Alley?. She inherited the factory from her father-in-law, Cyril Williams. His family bought the building from the Duke of Bedford, which was then passed down a long line of relatives. It was discussed that the building should be converted to provide a retirement home for Joan. But, when it came to the time for her to sort through the building, it was stored full of boxes of old books which belonged to Cyril. Joan said: ?It took me three years to sort out the books. Most of them were damp, falling apart and worn away because Cyril used the factory as an old paint shed, so many of them had to be thrown away or restored.? While she was looking through these books Joan came up with the idea for Bookworm Alley ? she would use her home as a resource centre. Nearly nine years on and she now has a thriving library with more than 6,000 books ? mainly old or out-of-print Salvation Army and Christian books. She said: ?People are very interested in what I do. On my website I have had more than 1,300 visits. ?I have students from Plymouth and Exeter University who are researching women?s issues come to the library to study strong women, as women have always had a leading role in the army.? One time a woman contacted Joan as her 90-year-old father, who was in care, wanted Crotchets and Quavers, an old story book written for boys who played an instrument in Salvation Army young people?s band, which he remembered from his childhood. The lady had tried to find the book for four years, before she heard about Bookworm Alley. Joan was able to find and send the book in time for the lady to give to her father in time for Christmas. One of Joan?s most interesting books, ?In Darkest England? is by William Booth, the Salvation Army?s founder. His vision was to change Victorian England and get people into church. Visitors to Bookworm Alley can view the books in the library and, if they want, rent one with a charge of £1 a month. All the profits from Bookworm Alley go to support the Salvation Army work in Northern India. Joan supports the charitable work in South Asia as she spent 28 years of her life working with the young children from the areas she visited. She left when she was 23 years old with her husband Railton as Salvation Army officers, under the motto: ?Go where the need is greater?, which took them to Burma. They left in 1960 taking along their six week old daughter. They spent six years in charge of the children?s home, during which their son was born. Joan and Railton worked for many years in South Asia ? Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, where sadly, in 1987, Railton died as a result of a rickshaw accident. Joan continued with her work alone. At nearly 50 years of age Joan returned to England with her two children. She re-trained in finance and decided to go back to India on her own to continue work with children. When she retired at 63, after spending most of her life in India, her son Christopher said Joan needed to think of something to do during retirement, knowing she would be bored doing nothing. Joan said: ?Bookworm Alley was supposed to be my retirement job but it has grown a tremendous amount and I don?t have much time to relax.? After many years working as a Salvation Army officer Joan was appointed commanding officer of the Tavistock Corps in July this year. She organises coffee mornings once every three weeks at her home to raise money for 40 young people in India who Joan sponsors through the Salvation Army so they can receive further education. At the moment, Joan is organising something she is incredibly passionate about ? ?The Home Alone Project?. She said: ?This is for anyone who is on their own for Christmas. They can come to The United Reformed Church and spend it with the Salvation Army for lunch. ?We will provide transport, there and back, and entertainment. You do not have to be poor to be lonely.? If anyone wants to know more about the project contact Joan on 01822 617740 or visit Bookworm Alley.