Baydon Village News

Baydon Young Peoples Association

The BYPA held their first AGM for many years on Friday 18^th March 2011. Ms Venice Marriott, in her opening speech said that it was a catch up meeting and that she was looking to the future of the Hall. The Youth Group was not running at present, she added, because of the lack of volunteers, but with new people coming on board there was hope that things would improve.

Mrs Kim Austen presented the Accounts for 2009 and 2010. She explained the running costs had remained fairly constant over the past 6 years of around £3,000 to £4,000. There were 4 main users of the hall, Pre-school, Toddlers, Brownies and the Parish Council and this income paid the running costs.

Mrs Denise Dawson asked who was paid to do the cleaning as she and her staff spent an hour cleaning after the Pre-school session each day. Ms Marriott replied that her daughter was paid to clean on a Monday after Toddlers.

Ms Marriott was again voted in as Chairperson, she said that she was willing to stand for just one more year. Mrs Kim Austen was approved as Treasurer. Denise Dawson, Alison Jones, Nicola Scotchmar, Diane Choules and Gordon Walker agreed to sit on the committee.

Ms Marriott thanked Kate Buckingham, Kate Norman and David Price-Goodfellow for their work in the past, all 3 have now resigned from the committee.

Jan Bowra and Mary Spanswick from Wiltshire Youth Services, who work with 13 to 19 year olds in the Marlborough area, spoke at length about their work and offered to help in the short term with the setting up of activities for the youth in Baydon. It was important however, said Jan Bowra, that the youth are given a voice and that the activities are what the youth agree they want.

There was some discussion concerning CRB checks. The committee were advised to ensure that all workers with youth had the police checks.

Amy Wallis, a youth worker from the Aldbourne Youth Council explained her role at the CAN. She is grant funded to work for 3 nights a week. The youth of Aldbourne had applied for the grant themselves and also run the Council. Amy said she was eager to liaise with Baydon, suggesting an open day at the BYPA Hall, when she could consult with the youth of Baydon, and that the committee look into the possibility of a paid worker in Baydon.

The 3 visitors gave a great deal of advice and examples of activities, which will hopefully inspire both volunteers and youth alike.

The date of the next BYPA meeting will be set at a later date.

By Barbara Furber.

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