AN exciting new facility for young people in Tavistock is about to open its doors as years of hard work by a dedicated group of volunteers finally comes to fruition. Tavistock Youth Café, next to the Youthwize offices in Pixon Lane, will open for business in early August. Members of Tavistock Youth Council who have pioneered the project, plus supporters, last Friday hosted a ?thank you? reception at the café. And on carnival day on Saturday, teenagers were able to take a sneak preview of the premises. David Johnson, chairman of the Tavistock Youth Café board, said: ?I?m glad it?s finally happened ? it will be nice to put our feet up! It?s been non-stop, especially for the last six months.? David said he and the members of the youth council had learned ?a huge amount? during the two-and-a-half years the group has been working towards the creation of the youth café. The group carried out a feasibility study, drew up a business plan and has been involved in countless grant applications and meetings with a wide variety of people to get the £133,173 project off the ground. Bethan Waddington, the youth council?s secretary who is in Year 9 at Tavistock College, said: ?Recently, it?s just been meeting, meeting, meeting ? and when you?re not meeting, you?re thinking about it.? Anthony Butcher, a Year 11 student and vice-chairman of the youth council, said all the hard work had ?definitely? been worthwhile: ?I?m very relieved it?s done ? and I?m really pleased with how it?s looking.? Youth worker Anne Johnson paid tribute to the youngsters: ?The young people themselves have really led this project and it?s been a big learning curve ? for them and for me. ?Some have used the experience in connection with the Millennium Volunteer Scheme, some in connection with their Duke of Edinburgh awards, but I think we have all grown as the project has gone along.? The double-sized portable cabin, handily placed for the skate park and the Meadows, provides the youth café with a spacious living room with a snack bar in one corner, equipped with a fridge and freezer, microwave and grill and sandwich toaster. Opposite, there will be seven computers with internet access ? in another corner, a pool table. One room will be rented by Devon Youth Service, giving the café a regular income. There are two disabled toilets and a small, quiet room. Outside, it is hoped to level the ground and have a small grassed area with picnic tables. Until the end of the summer holidays, the youth café will be open between 7pm and 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. From September, the opening hours will be from 3pm to 6pm and 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. When open, there will always be two adults present to run the snack bar and a senior member of the youth council will be present. Mrs Johnson said everyone involved in the project was very grateful to all those who had supported it, whether financially or through donation of equipment. The only item the youth café now lacks is a TV, DVD player and video recorder. Any individual or business who would like to help should call Anne Johnson on 01822 613807.
