Page 1013 - Reading Mercury

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Thur 3 Sept
A CENTRE FOR THE TOWN’S YOUTH AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE
Behind Montague House in Broad Street, Wokingham, workmen are applying the
finishing touches to a building which will eventually become a focal point for the
town’s youth and community. It is Wokingham Youth Centre—the place that will run
itself. The philosophy of the centre is quite simple:-
The people who use it will programme their own activities said the warden, Mr.
Peter Jones. He is not drawing up a list of activities to be carried out at the centre.
Instead, he wants young people to tell him what they want to do, and if it is feasible,
leave them to get on with it.
Welcome
Basically the centre will be catering for the 14 to 21-year-olds. But adult groups will
more than welcome to make use of the excellent facilities the county-built centre has
to offer. And it seems that the people of Shire Hall have thought of everything. The
ground floor consists mainly of a large, airy activity hall that is suitable for most
things from judo to dancing. At one end screened off from the rest of the floor is a
workshop for those who fancy their hands at woodwork, metalwork or anything else
that can be carried out in there.
Chat
Near to this are the changing rooms complete with shower. But if you just want to
sit and chat over a cup of coffee or coke and watch the activity in the main hall, the
centre boasts a sophisticated, carpeted coffee lounge. Here you can relax in the
comfortable padded chairs and sup the delicious coffee made in a kitchen that would
be the envy of many a housewife.
Between the hall and the coffee bar in a small alcove sits the disc jockey’s delight,
two stereophonic record player decks. Speakers have been installed throughout the
building and can be switched on and off so that if you don’t want music you don’t
have to have it.
Upstairs is a smaller room which could be used for table tennis or as a meeting
room, a well-equipped darkroom for the photographically-minded, and what Mr.
Jones jokingly calls the “girls” room.”
Hairdressing
This is a long narrow carpeted room with direct access to the ladies’ loo and Mr.
Jones thinks this would be ideal for make-up or hairdressing sessions and all the
things girls like to do without the boys around.
Alongside the building workmen are just completing a hard court which can be used
for such sports as netball, volley ball, five-a-side football and tennis.
Recently Mr. Jones had meetings with a group of young people who came up with
ideas for film-making, fencing, drama and judo.
The centre will be officially opened on September 11th in the fortnight before
townspeople are invited to come and inspect the building. A nominal admission
charge will be made. Activities and events will not be exclusive to the members of the
centre, in fact one of its purposes is to serve existing youth groups in the area. And for
the adult groups, particularly those who have a membership of young mums, a crèche
run by qualified staff is planned to look after small children while mum keeps fit or
whatever.
Voluntary help is still needed, both from people who have a specialist skill to
impart. Or from those who are just interested in youth work and generally helping out
at the centre. Although not yet officially opened several activities have been put on
during school holidays.

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