REWARD cards were presented to students from Okehampton College last week, which entitle their holders to reduced prices for use of sports and entertainment facilities in the town. The Okehampton Reward scheme was launched at a year 9 and year 10 assembly at the college. The card entitles its holder to reduced rates for use of the tennis and swimming facilities at Parklands Leisure Centre, for bike hire at Devon Cycle Hire at Sourton, and on OCRA holiday activity schemes. The scheme was the brainchild of PC Carl Seaward, police youth liaison officer. PC Seaward had more good news for youngsters at the assembly as he announced he had just tied up a deal with the recently opened Merlin Cinemas to allow cardholders to see films for less on Monday nights. PC Seaward said the original idea for the reward scheme came during the school holidays, when he had to eject youngsters from the tennis courts in Simmons Park because they had been playing without paying the charges. This spurred him to set about developing the idea of creating a scheme to make leisure more affordable for the town's young people and keeping them safe and within the law. College principal Daryll Chapman told students: 'In all my time in teaching, I cannot think of a time when we have had so many people wanting to give you things and share their respect for you.' He warned students of the responsibility which went with their new cards. 'If you do something which is inappropriate while you are using these cards, we will take the cards back and you will lose that privilege,' he said. Lee Easton, from the college, said the scheme was unique to Okehampton College students at present, but if it was a success other schools might wish to launch their own initiatives. 'We do want to encourage young people who wouldn't normally use the facilities to try it. The scheme is a trial. We don't know if anyone will use the cards, but we hope they will,' he said. Any business or other organisations which would like to support the Okehampton Reward scheme and offer reduced charges for young people is asked to contact PC Seaward at Okehampton Police Station or Mr Easton at Okehampton College.
