Children call for support to help keep Holcombe youth club at church

Youngsters from Holcombe are appealing for help from local businesses and families to save their youth club.

Currently the ten-year-old club meets at the Methodist School Rooms in the village where up to 25 children aged eight to 12 years old meet once a week.

But club leaders have been told by the church that they can no longer afford to maintain or manage the school rooms and are therefore looking to lease the building.

If they cannot find a solution or lease the building it will be sold and the youth club will become homeless.

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The club, affiliated to Somerset Rural Youth, was begun a decade ago by Tina and Derek Lilley and Sue and Jim Burke with the help of volunteers Jane Clark, Donna Tilby and Mary Louise McGarvey.

Originally it met in the village hall but because it is next to a busy road and parking is limited, organisers felt it was too dangerous to continue.

A new venue at the Methodist school rooms was found and since then the club has met every Thursday night and gone from strength to strength.

Mrs Lilley said: "It has proved to be a huge benefit to the village. The youngsters have no other facilities in Holcombe and it has proved really popular."

The club has won funds in the past from the Levy Fund to restore the building initially and to help supply transport for the young people.

Since then the Methodist church has also paid to install central heating, new flooring and has redecorated the interior. The club itself has raised money with a number of fundraising events over the past ten years.

PCSO Jamie May described the club as a massive asset to the village.

He said: "It is a place where the youngsters can hang out together safely, it really is a brilliant place. We just hope that the village can rally to ensure it continues."

The organisers are appealing to local businesses and the village itself to help them raise the money needed to continue at the Methodist Rooms.

The parish council has already pledged its support.

Anyone who can help secure funding or sponsor the group in any way can contact Mrs Lilley by email at tina_lilley@ hotmail.co.uk.