MORE than 50 young people flocked to Tavistock Youth Café last Saturday, for a day of fun, art and music to celebrate the re-opening of the popular venue. The youth café had to close earlier in the year, when it was found that part of the building was suffering with rot. After being repaired, the café was re-equipped, and several new volunteers were recruited, many of them helping to make the open day the success that it was. Joining the ?customers? were many local parents, residents, and council officials, including Cllr Mandy Govier, West Devon?s member champion for youth issues, and Tavistock mayor Anne Johnson. A graffiti workshop helped to produce boards that could be used to ?glam up? the outside of the building, and an open mike session and junk band gave the opportunity for many to demonstrate their musical talents. Antony Butcher, chair of the board of directors for the café, said: ?The atmosphere was great, and it was just amazing to see the café being used again ? three months ago, we didn?t even know if we would be able to open again!? Lizzie Blowey, a regular volunteer at the youth café, said: ?Thanks must go to all the youth workers and the volunteers who were working both there on the day and during the run up to the event, it just couldn?t have happened without them. ?The youth café is becoming more successful by the day since its re-opening, and hopefully one day we can expand it into a permanent building.? The youth café is currently running a consultation on opening times, anyone who wants to get involved can contact café manager Abby Buckley on 01822 612851 for more information. Anyone interested in volunteering should also contact this number.
