YOUNGSTERS in Flax Bourton are holding a party to celebrate the official opening of their newly refurbished youth club.
YOUNGSTERS in Flax Bourton are holding a party to celebrate the official opening of their newly refurbished youth club.
Staff at the club were given a £7,000 grant by the Quartet Foundation to give the building in Station Road a complete overhaul.
Youngsters now have new pool and table football tables, a new fridge and cooker and a separate quiet room so they can watch films or hold discussions.
The building was also rewired and new toilets were put in. David Luff, chairman of the youth club committee, said: "It's the first opportunity we've had to be able to buy new equipment for the facility.
"We also had the whole building stripped out and put in new floors, toilets and kitchen appliances."
The youth group has been meeting in the building for more than 23 years and caters for youngsters aged 11 and upwards.
Around 12-20 people go along to the club, where they can make use of the music, art and IT facilities or just socialise with friends.
Staff at the club, which opens every Wednesday, have also been given extra funding by the same organisation to open for an extra night in the week to cater for older members who want to work towards The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Taster sessions for people aged 15-25 will run from January to March to give members an opportunity to see if they would like to get involved in the scheme.
Mr Luff said: "The club is a great asset to the village because it is keeping children off the streets and it's all about trying to get them out of their television mentality and doing different activities to learn more about themselves."
Flax Bourton Parish Council gives the youth club a grant every year to cover the salaries of staff, but bosses are looking for an extra £7,000 a year to put on more activities for the youngsters, including day trips and outdoor pursuits.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the club can call David on 01275 463991.
The official opening of the newly refurbished building is being held tonight (Wed) at 7.30pm and all are welcome to go along.
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