Youngsters are given taste of what's on offer (From Cotswold Journal)

Youngsters are given taste of what's on offer

YOUNGSTERS were given a chance to see what was on offer in Chipping Norton last Friday.

Young people aged 10 to 17 were invited to a Freshers' Fair at the town's Leisure Centre to find out for themselves about the range of activities available.

The fair - the largest event of its type in the town - was organised by the Town Centre Partnership as a showcase for 30 clubs, societies, sports and leisure groups.

Those attending were given the chance to sample the wares, with "taster sessions" on the climbing wall, in the skate park and taking part in karate, Tae Kwan Do and other sports as well as swimming.

Town councillor Rob Evans, a member of the Town Centre Partnership, said: "The town partnership is trying to put into effect some of the issues from the town appraisal.

"We are trying to work with young people to improve youth facilities."

Young people attending the fair were asked to fill in a questionnaire on what they think of the current facilities in the town and what else they would like to see provided.

"We are hoping we might get a nucleus of young people who might become part of a youth forum," said Rob.

One of the issues likely to be explored is whether youngsters might prefer the town's current youth centre, which meets at the school, moves elsewhere in the town.

"At the time of the appraisal a lot of youngsters had said that," said Rob.

Town Centre Partnership member and Oxfordshire county councillor, Hilary Biles, said last week's event was a "wonderful opportunity" for people in the town and surrounding areas to find out what is available.

"Many people think there is nothing to do but in fact there is," said Hilary.

"This was an opportunity for the youth of the area to tell us what they think we can do to improve things," she added.

She said that the taster sessions were useful because youngsters are often reluctant to join up to something if they are unsure what it entails.

Other involved in the organisation of the event were Ian Nolan, community liaison co-ordinator and Sarah Ashfield, from project for young homeless.

Facilities for the event were offered for free by Leisure Centre management Wycombe Leisure and free publicity, refreshments and late buses to get youngsters home to outlying villages were funded by the LeaderPlus scheme.