A WOMAN is battling to revive her local youth club at a time of life when most people are thinking of putting their feet up.
Elsie Sparks who is 76 years old but so loves the club where she was a member as a teenager that she's determined not to see it fade away.
The club, which is in Bishop's Waltham, is still suffering after an arson attack some two years ago. Fire badly damaged the hall where teenagers meet.
It was started in a dustbin which the vandals then pushed up against the wooden building inevitably it caused major damage despite the best efforts of firefighters.
Although now rebuilt and repainted the teenagers who use the hall on Winchester Road are still trying to replace furniture and equipment that was lost.
The group of around ten 13 to 17-year-olds are in desperate need of games and music equipment for their weekly meetings on Thursday nights.
Said Elsie, who has fond memories of her days as a teenager at the club in its early days: "New equipment is desperately needed, for example there was a small snooker table donated but no cues or balls to go with it. We would be grateful for anything we were offered."
Committee member Jane Hemmings said: "Basically we are struggling with the equipment they have. What we need is a CD player and comfortable furniture for them to sit on, although donations of any sort would be welcome.
"Basically there is a problem with facilities for young people in the village. If you are very young or an adult there is plenty to do but the teenagers in the middle do struggle with things to do.
"The youth club is a great way of giving them their own space and a place to hang out once a week and we do have youth workers from Hampshire County Council visit too. We just need more things to make it more enjoyable for them."
If you have anything to donate or would like to volunteer at the club contact Brandy Blunt on 01489 892116 or Jane Hemmings on 01489 896976.
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