THE BLISWORTH YOUTH SHELTER
our latest village asset.

 


The Blisworth Youth Shelter - The shelter has been dedicated to the memory of
Timothy James Spooner who died at Blisworth on 17th. May 2008 aged 21 yr.
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06.06.2008  Over the past several weeks questions have been raised on (a) whether Blisworth should set up a youth shelter and (b) if so, where would it be best to install it.  Running with the assumption that the answer to the first question is 'yes', a few villagers, led by Jane Percival, have managed to place in reservation the funding that will be needed and have tried to find a suitable site - not with much initial success at this time.  The shelter is intended to be simply a shelter against the weather and a meeting place for village teenagers - the age range 15 to 19 years is to be catered for.  The shelter would have no door and would not be subject to any adult supervision but would be maintained by the VH&PF Association.

23.06.2008  It was clear that some village residents would not easily embrace the idea if the shelter is to be near their house and by this time the choice for the location of the youth shelter had boiled down to between two places; (1) on land adjacent to the Royal Oak (well over towards the left, as viewed from the High Street) - presently being considered by the owner of the Royal Oak and (2) on 'playing field' land near the football club.  The first of these is more favoured by the project organisers and the police.  The decision of the Royal Oak owners has been long awaited.
08.07.2008  The shelter is to be installed in the only remaining place for which there was general agreement; adjacent to the Football Club buildings and the playing fields.  The location is analogous to the nearby installations at Old Stratford and Greens Norton which are on their respective recreation fields.

23.08.2008 - Installation was completed.  As will be evident in the photograph, the shelter is very modern in design, being a two part dome made of steel tubing and transparent durable polycarbonate sheet over a nice circular suite of yellow seats.  It may be eventually equipped with its own street light or with solar-powered lighting, which turns on automatically as darkness falls, if the need is demonstrated. There is to be a bike-rack and litter bin nearby. The shelter is expected to greatly appeal to our youngsters who had a hand, literally, in installing the concrete floor, leaving hand prints and scribed initials for posterity in the hardening concrete.  The shelter will also be a 'fun place' for toddlers, judging from the photograph, and will be a good resting place for walkers and casual football spectators; indeed it is an asset to the village.

That this project has been brought to fruition despite, at times, encountering difficult circumstances is due to the perseverance of Jane Percival.  Amongst the small band of helpers, the efforts of Clare Dunckley and Alan Hargreaves particularly stand out.  Well done!