Published: May 2, 2008
Highbridge Youth Club re-opens after £14,000 revamp

Highbridge Community Youth Club officially re-opened its doors on Friday evening (May 2nd) following a £14,000 revamp.

These were the celebratory scenes when the club in Morland Road marked the completion of several weeks of renovation work with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A £14,000 grant was awarded to the club in December 2007 by the county council's Somerset Area Working Panel, and this has enabled new toilet facilities to be introduced, plus stronger flooring, a new kitchen and new safety rails outside.

Club founder Gill Udall, pictured with club leader Sarah Berryman, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are thrilled with the result of the renovations and would like to thank the Sedgemoor Area Working Panel for awarding the club with the funds."

"We are now looking forward to continuing with our work with the youths of Highbridge in our upgraded facilities. We hope to open on more nights every week and become partners with the Somerset County Youth Service."

Sarah added: "We are always on the look out for new volunteers, who only need to spare as little as one night each month. We would invite anyone who can help us to get in contact on 0791 775 0861."

The club is also interested in hearing from local groups who would like to use the modernised building during the week.

The club opened in 2006 and has over 40 youths, aged between nine and 16 years, who regularly attend its Friday night sessions from 6pm-8pm.

The facility was set up by officers from Burnham police to provide a safe, secure environment for young people to meet on a regular basis.

It operates in partnership with the police to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and build a rapport with young people.

Our photo shows club founder Gill Udall and leader Sarah Berryman cutting a ribbon on Friday night to officially re-open the revamped building