Bags of ideas aired at Ninfield Youth Forum

This was well attended with a wide age range from just under 12 months through to 15 years, not including adults.

A number of suggestions were made on how to attract new members and volunteers and what the Youth Forum could achieve in the coming year.

Some of the ideas put forward were:

• to organise an open event on the recreation ground with games and invite organisations from the village (Bonfire Society, Carnival, Scouts, Brownies etc) to participate as well as young people.

• Link in with other organisations to provide support at their events and raise the profile of the Youth Forum (such as the Working Mens’ Club ‘street party’ for the royal wedding)

• Have a monthly meeting where young people set the agenda and decide on what they want to do at future meetings

• Enter a Youth Forum pram for the Pram Race

• Produce a film of people using the half-pipe and possibly sell copies to raise funds.

• Ask local businesses if they would consider sponsoring the Youth Forum

Kaye Crittell, of Ninfield Parish Council, said: “Four adults offered their time at the meeting, and one parent approached me after the meeting to offer assistance both to organise events and support the young people with fund-raising etc.

“There was also discussion around volunteers assisting the parish council to look for grants and additional funds to help with upgrading the play area.”

Next meeting will be Friday April 1, from 6.30pm on the recreation ground, when it is hoped to have members of the Bonfire Society give a drumming demonstration.