Will You Let Bergholt Youth Group Fold?

Aimed at young people between 10 and 16, BYG has now been meeting regularly for over nine years.  It has clearly met a need with over a hundred members and up to eighty turning up on club evenings.  For most of this time it has been managed, and evenings staffed, by a small group; initially some dedicated adults and latterly their children as they have grown old enough to organise activities and take on more responsibility.  The Club is financially sound and has acquired a good range of equipment.  On most occasions the club evenings have been well staffed by volunteers on an ad hoc basis; their enthusiasm makes up for any lack of experience.  The running of the Club is supported by Essex Boys and Girls Association who oversee issues such as DBS checks.

A New Wave of Volunteers Are Needed

After such a long  period those who have given tirelessly over the years now feel it is time for a change, especially as their offspring are moving on.

So far appeals for new volunteers have not produced any results.  So, sadly, BYG will cease after the Christmas disco; our children will lose their Friday evenings unless a new generation comes forward.

We believe the best option is for a small group of friends to take over the management.  This means a chairman, secretary, membership secretary, treasurer, tuck shop steward and a small committee.  None of these roles are too arduous if shared.

Some continuity in running the Friday evenings would be a good thing and so some volunteers could still be available and more could probably be attracted.

The Kids Need BYG

Our village needs this facility and unless new support comes forward it will be lost.  The final decision to wind up the Club will be taken at the AGM on Thursday 12th October at 7.45 pm in the John Lampon Hall.  A new team must be in place and ready to take over from that point.  If you have ideas and can form a group to take over the management please contact Harry Stone  [email protected] or 241026) or the current BYG secretary, David Bowden ([email protected] or 241201)