Escley Youth Club (From Hereford Times)

Escley Youth Club

12:00pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in Features

THE club said farewell to its two founding organisers – and stepped into an uncertain future. Steve Herington and Gareth Jones have been running the club, based at the Michaelchurch Escley sports pavilion, for the past eight years, but have decided to step aside now their own children have become too old to attend. The club held a surprise party for them and presented them with cases of wine. Club chairman Benna Waites said they had made a tremendous contribution to the youth of the Golden Valley. “We all owe Gareth and Steve a huge debt of gratitude for their enthusiasm and dedication,”

she said. The club meets every Friday evening in termtime, offering eight to 16-year-olds a choice of activities from football to disco, and up to 40 children attend. Ms Waites hopes the club will keep going, run by a rota of parents, helped by some former members, and senior pupils at Fairfield High School aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“But it’s not certain we’ve got enough support from the parents to make it work,” she warned. Anyone willing to help is asked to contact Ms Waites at anthonyandbenna@tinyworld.co.uk.