Revamped bus proves a big hit with Cirencester teens (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Revamped bus proves a big hit with Cirencester teens
10:30am Monday 16th July 2012 in News By Andrea Glennon
Amy-May, Cameron, Kieron and Jade on board the youth bus at the Impact Centre in Cirencester
EXCITED youngsters in Cirencester and the surrounding area have heralded the arrival of a new mobile youth bus that will tour the region offering advice and activities.
Members of Ozone Youth Club were the first youngsters to set eyes on the fully-refurbed bus, which now benefits from new DJ equipment, sports resources and wi-fi facilities, when they had a sneak peek at it on Monday.
The bus had fallen victim to county council youth service cuts last June but in March this year all ten Cirencester district councillors donated to an £8,000 fund to re-equip the vehicle to provide vital services to isolated teens.
Cotswold District Council had earmarked £50,000 to be split between all 44 councillors for youth provision in their wards and each Cirencester councillor, nine of whom also sit on the town council, allocated £800 each to get the bus rolling.
Neighbourhood relations officer Clare Bartlett, who runs Ozone, said youngsters had been eagerly awaiting the bus' arrival.
"They've been talking about it for months and the excitement has certainly been building," she added. "This sort of service is brilliant for these teens because while it has lots on offer by way of entertainment, the advice and information they will be able to access is vital.
"We're extremely grateful to all the councillors for making it happen."
Councillors and young people will attend the official unveiling next Wednesday at 1pm in the Abbey Grounds where the town council is hosting a week-long programme of events to mark Love Parks Week (July 21-29), a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of parks and green spaces.
Circus skills, pond dipping and a free burger are just a few of the things on offer when events kick off on Saturday, July 21 at 10.30am with a mass session of the popular Latin dance-fitness workout zumba.
Town councillors and staff then host a barbecue from 2pm when they hope members of the community will turn out for a chat over a free burger about what is planned in the grounds.
For a list of events throughout the week go to cirencester.gov.uk
