Local Face: Liz Brewer

Liz Brewer has been the Wendover Youth Worker since she took over from Alistair Bayliss in 1984. At that time, the Youth Club was meeting in a terrapin hut near the John Colet School. This was not very satisfactory accommodation and in fact the Councillor Colin Dale-Mills had been spearheading fund raising for a new building since 1981.

As always the people of Wendover responded generously and money was forthcoming from the Carnival, the Youth Club itself and Wendover Parish Council used that quaint old custom of putting on a Halfpenny Rate. Once the Fund reached £ 10,000, Bucks County Council could fund the rest of the project and ensure that the new Youth Centre would fulfil all modern standards of building design and function.

The whole Youth Centre Project had started in 1961 when Dr Diana Riley wrote to the County expressing her concern for provision for the young. It was only fitting that she should open the new Youth Centre in June 1986 on a site near to the Swimming Pool with its own car park, garden and enclosed outdoor play area. It was found to be ideally suited to its purpose being so light and spacious inside.

All the activities which had taken place before continued in the new premises. Some children get their first taste of the Youth Centre building when they attend Little Acorns Kindergarten which functions on weekday mornings during school terms.

If you would like to organise an activity on a Monday afternoon, or hire the building at the weekend, please ring 624473. The evening activities cannot take place without the help of adult volunteers. Any offers, please telephone or come along. Volunteers are desperately needed for Monday evenings.

Once they are 5 they can attend the Holiday Playschemes which take place on weekdays between 10.00am and 12.30pm. In the Summer, they have a special theme. This year it will be “Around the World” from Monday 26th to Friday 30th July and Monday 2nd to Friday 6th August.

At Christmas and Easter the Playscheme takes the form of a craft workshop, making cards, gifts and decorations.

These playschemes are an opportunity for many members of the community to be involved together. Any adult volunteers are always welcomed with open arms but teenagers have made very valuable contributions over the years, sharing skills and taking on responsibilities.

As soon as the new building was opened Liz started to organise her 1987 May Fair which was so successful that it was repeated in 1988. Liz is also known for her Projects. The first trip to Hungary was in 1987 with two follow ups. There have also been three exchanges with Wendover’s twin town Liffre.

The Youth Club is usually a centre for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. This lapsed for a while but co-ordinator Alan Glover has managed to raise a team of volunteers including Viv Dear, Eve Defty, Richard Long and Mick Roxbury.

Liz Brewer at Wendover Youth Club is delighted to have worked with young and old in this wonderful building. She would like to thank all those who started the project and the many who continue to keep it viable.