Topsham youth activities a success

Topsham youngsters were kept entertained throughout the summer by the annual programme of youth activities run by the Community Association.

A total of 67 10-16 year olds took part in 11 different activities such as fencing, football and mosaic making.

The activities were organised for the 10th successive year by Margaret Butt and Steve Preston, with funding from the Bowling Green Marshes Fund and the Hele’s Trust.

Margaret said: “The youth activities were as successful as ever in terms of the number of participants, the enjoyment of young people and the appreciation of parents.

“Thanks to wonderful tutors, the youngsters achieved great results in creative and physical sessions and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

Margaret says that, in the past 10 years, the activities have been a breeding ground for some serious talent, with two brothers who first tried water polo at a summer session now playing for national teams.

“It’s very gratifying to see that success, but the important thing is all our Topsham 10-16 year olds have had the opportunity to have some fun, trying new skills or improving others in the company of their friends.

This was the final year that Margaret and Steve will be running the activities, as, from next year, they will be taken over by Sue Wright of the Dorothy Holman Youth Centre.

Margaret said: “We felt that 10 years was probably enough. You have to give up some things at some point, and Sue Wright has very kindly said she will take it over.

“It is very time consuming, and took up my whole August for 10 years, but I will miss it a great deal.”