We
Bartonians all pay our Council tax, but unlike other villages of
similar size, or smaller, we have nowhere for our young teenagers to
meet friends without being moved on.
The
old Youth Hut in Sharpenhoe Road was beyond repair, and too close to
the busy junction with Bedford Road to be safe in view of how the
traffic flow has increased over the years. But on selling the plot
for re-development, Central Beds pocketed the money.
Does
this matter? I think so. Clubs run by adults, organised around an
activity, are all very well but they don't appeal to every young
person or even every aspect of each young person. The girl or boy who
joins the dramatic society or scouts may also want to hang out with
others of their own age to talk about things that interest them, make
friends and try on their new and emerging identities without risk of
being overheard or censored by adults. Without this, young people can only
meet in places that risk disturbing neighbouring houses such as the Franklin Drive playground that the Parish Council then closed;or
online, which doesn't develop all their interpersonal skills.
CBC
need to be made to fulfil their moral obligation and provide some
facility, whether a youth centre or an outdoor BMX-skatepark with
seating, to enable our young people to socialise. If elected, I will
engage with Central Beds Council and our Parish Council, and work to
provide a facility that our young people want.
No comments:
Post a Comment