A new youth club had its first meeting at Preston Road Community Centre. The idea was suggested a few weeks ago by the local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers).
This is Chris, one of the South Abingdon PCSOs. They have been joined by some volunteer youth workers from the area in getting it off the ground. The group running it is a partnership of the police, PRCC and the Vineyard Church. Its based on a similar group on the Peachcroft estate in North Abingdon.
The club starts at 7:30 on Fridays nights for 12-17 years olds. It will run the second and forth Fridays until there are sufficient voluteers for weekly opening. Just as I was leaving a BBC camera crew were arriving, doing a documentary round South Abingdon about the work of PCSOs. 25 kids turned up for the first week and 24 registered to become members of the club.
What the club still needs is a fold-up table tennis table.
Partly down to Ray Ball. When the PCSOs suggested it, he made it happen. One of our unspoken heroes. But don't tell him I said that.
This looks great. Congratulations are due to those putting the effort in to make this kind of thing happen in Abingdon.