AFTER making do with a damp, cold, cramped cabin for a number of years, the young people of Bere Alston's youth club are celebrating the completion of a brand new, 'fit for purpose' base.

The former portable cabin used by the youth club 'Youth 2 Youth' was previously the home of the St John Ambulance Brigade up until the club took it over in 1999.

The old building was cold and damp, the water froze in the pipes in the winter and it was too small for the number of young people who used the facility.

After four years of fundraising, a new building has been designed with the young people in mind and keeps its prime spot next to the parish hall in Bere Alston. The young people were involved in every stage of the planning and helped towards the fundraising.

'The Hut' is due to be officially opened on February 9.

Youth worker for Youth 2 Youth Vicki Lloyd said: 'Having a new building for the young people in Bere Alston is a vital provision and will enable us to work in a warm, safe and friendly environment. The credit goes to Nick Law, Beregen and the volunteers who have put their time into making this possible.

'Young people in the village have to deal with rural isolation which can lead to boredom and sometimes other issues in the village.

'Having The Hut is a big asset to this community and gives young people a space to seek opportunities, expand their life skills, meet with peers and have access to qualified youth workers.

'It has been great for my co youth worker Andy Jerrett and I to see the young people enjoying the new hut — we are all very happy with the outcome.'

The Rev Nick Law, involved with Youth 2 Youth, said: 'The new hut was designed by Jeremy Maddock and although it is on the same site, it has twice the floor space (88 sq m). It is open and airy, well insulated, has separate loos for boys and girls and is basically a space fit for purpose. There is a coffee bar area, space for computer games and for table top football.

'We started looking for funds about four years ago and were able to secure £15,000 of section 106 money, £15,000 from the Belinda O'Flynn Trust, £15,000 from Northbrook Community Foundation, £10,000 from Garfield Weston and £3,000 from the Bernard Sunleigh Foundation.

'The rest we raised ourselves, with people even stopping me in the street to give me money for the project.

'We were able to keep the costs down by volunteer labour from carpenters, plumbers, plasterers and electricians as well as others ready to give a hand — It has been a great community effort.

'It is a place the young people can call their own and over the next few months they will be personalising the inside with their artwork.'

Youth and community development worker for Bere Alston Jen Potts, who has worked with the young people in the village for a number of years, said: 'It is extremely exciting for us to have a new base. It is something we have worked for for years.

'They had a 40-year-old cabin before, which was smelly and damp and we just wanted something to show the young people that we value them as part of our community.

'I'm really pleased they've now got their own space and have a sense of ownership over something — it's fantastic.

'I'm also very pleased that the youth work in Bere Alston has been recognised enough for us to be able to get this new building.'

The Hut will be officially opened on Monday, February 9 at 6.30pm, with the customary ribbon being cut by Jen.