Volunteers revive Newbury youth club
Several local figures have helped The Riverside Community Centre open again
A GROUP of dedicated volunteers have revived a Newbury youth club and called on other areas of the district to do the same.
The Riverside Community Centre, Rosemoor Gardens, was closed when West Berkshire Council took an axe to youth services in the hope of saving millions of pounds last year, but now, with the help of a number of local figures, the centre is open again.
Following criticism of the council's decision to close the centres by the shadow executive member for children's services Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale) last week, the chairman of the Clay Hill Residents Association, Graham Farquar, said it was not a time for negativity, and that other areas could take their cues from what was going on at Riverside.
“We signed the lease off last week and a lot of people have worked very hard to make this happen,” he said.
“We know youth services has had problems and lost money but they have still been helping us and we want to show it can be done.
“Anyone can come along and use the equipment, there is plenty here for people to do. We have had grants from West Berkshire Council, Newbury Town Council and Greenham Common Trust for various things. They have all been very helpful.”
The centre was a hive of activity during the half-term holidays, and anyone visiting could be forgiven for mistaking it for a holiday camp, with pumpkin carving, painting and several other activities all going on for youngsters to enjoy.
Helpers from the Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People were also on hand to play indoor football with some of the children.
The Lambourn Renewal Project are also working nearby to regenerate the river, which will help improve the scenery and enable children and teenagers to learn about ecology and the environment during their visits.
Mr Farquar said it pleased everyone to see the children kept busy and he had high hopes for the future of the centre.
“We have shown we can do it, other areas can look at us and see what can be achieved. There is no need for negativity,” he added.
