Youth Club report

Youth club re starts after the summer break on September 7th. Sadly three of our members (Gabi, Emily and Claire) have decided to leave after 4 years in the club but hopefully they will join up with the Link Group to continue their association with St George’s.

After a wet and windy Fordingbridge weekend (reported in the last issue) the weather continued to hamper many of our remaining activities. However none had to be cancelled and our mystery bike ride/treasure hunt proved to be good fun and enjoyed by the few who could make a Saturday morning youth club. (This is often a problem where the leaders would like a Friday off once in a while so plan a Saturday morning activity, but find many of the children engaged elsewhere (or in bed!)

When Jane and I first took over youth club back in 1994, the children did not have so many competing calls on their time. Activities which were a real novelty to the 1994 children are just something else to be fitted in to today’s member’s busy lives. Similarly activities such as cinema trips or swimming pool trips were quite a treat for the 1994 children whereas today they are activities which are already regularly undertaken within the family. However we do have to have an occasional Saturday morning session and this will continue.

Our “It’s a knockout” evening at Glendene proved to be very popular with almost all the youth club in the swimming pool at once by the end of the evening. The games had a ‘wet’ theme to them but as a result of this wet summer it became a ‘wet and muddy’ theme.

Our final and traditional evening on Hayling beach with fish and chips proved as popular as ever and though the wind was a bit sharp, many went in for a dip before huddling behind the concrete breakwater to savour the chippies best.

Helpers are needed! We are always on the look out for anyone who can come along and help, albeit in the kitchen serving tuck or just helping set up and put away. If you feel that you could help once in a while but on a regular basis then please speak to Jane or I. In the slightly longer term we are looking for someone to inherit the youth club and lead it into the future. The infrastructure is all there and ready to go. All we need is a willing volunteer!

Tony Rice-Oxley