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They’ve taken an axe to youth club
• I STRONGLY urge the funding agencies to look again at their proposal/decision to halve the funding being applied for to continue the Haven Youth Club services (Crime rise fears as youth club loses half its funding, March 27).
What value, I wonder, are they giving to these services?
I moved to my current address, where I still live, in 1981. At that time there was no community provision in this area. A group of concerned residents met several times to explore the possibility of setting up a community association.
With the help of a community development officer, Castlehaven Community Association came into existence, and a management committee was formed, followed by the acquisition of a temporary community centre (The Old Piano Warehouse).
Eleanor Botwright was appointed as centre co-ordinator in 1986. She has worked tirelessly since then, and I have seen the fruits of all our early work, and her and her various staff teams’ dedication, which have brought the centre to the successful and invaluable resource it has become.
The proposed slashing of funding would clearly decimate the existing services. I share Eleanor’s fears about the likely results of this.
I feel this is a contemptuous betrayal of all the efforts made by residents here over the years to promote community cohesion and to provide opportunities for young people to participate in worthwhile activities. This is analogous to planting a seedling, protecting it and nurturing its growth, and then 20 years later, when it is at its most fruitful and rewarding, taking an axe to it.
I appreciate there are many projects which need funding, but I feel very upset and sincerely hope that the funding decision for Castlehaven can be reviewed and hopefully revoked.
MARILYN STEVENS
Founder member Castlehaven Community Association
and past management committee member, NW1 |
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