THE residents, police officers and youth of Horrabridge celebrated last week, with the re-opening of their village youth club.
The club was closed almost two years ago when its youth worker left due to other work commitments. From that moment members of the youth club tried to save the building and keep the club going — putting together various grant applications.
Then in July this year the club scooped a large grant from the Youth Bank, which was enough money to re-open to building and fund a youth leader and supporter for 12 months.
Vicki Lloyd, a rural youth worker for Devon County Council, said that since December 2007 herself and Paul Dobbie, a former area youth worker for Tavistock, had been working with children in Horrabridge and found that most of the youth wanted the club open.
'It was closed when the youth worker left and the only way it could open was if enough money for another youth worker could be found.
'All the local youth wanted it opened but there was just no money, so they formed the funding project,' said Vicki.
The youngsters put together a Youth Opportunities Bid (YOB) and sent it the the Youth Bank and received the full £11,000.
The youth have also received funds for new equipment, the majority of which has now been purchased, and is waiting to be used.
Vicki added: 'They are over the moon just to have it open — it is going to be a really busy time at the club.'
The club will be open to the youth two nights a week on Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm for years 7, 8 and 9 and on Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm for the senior group, ages 14 to 19.