Having decided to change the name of the Youth Club from the 'Twilight Zone', the leaders met at Pizza Express 
towards the end of last year to suggest various acronyms, but we completely failed to come up with anything that we all liked or that we thought would get past the vicar. We had a lot of fun trying, though, and the food was good, but it was rather expensive and the portions were a little on the small side, which doubtless served to hinder our creativity. So no change there.
With a bigger and cheaper night out on the horizon, we hope to put Parish Youthwork to rights one evening soon, when we shall doubtless have to discuss the latest predicament to be faced, namely the limitations of the St. Nicolas' site and the numbers of volunteers than can be guaranteed on any one evening.
It is true to say that we have been fortunate of late in securing the occasional services of a few more helpers, but this has been more than matched by an increase in the number of children who want to join us on Friday evenings. I counted how many different children we had had through the doors in the last 18 months and was surprised to discover that it was over 80. Since we can only really cope with about 30 on any one evening, with a minimum of 5 leaders, it is easy to see that we are struggling to maintain our commitment to the community.
Sadly, we shall have to re-introduce and restrict our membership from half-term as the demand for something for young people to do on a Friday far outstrips our facilities, but even this will itself be limited and determined by how many volunteers can be depended upon to give of their time to help make a difference in the lives of those children with whom we are privileged to work. Frequency is not so important as commitment over a period of time, thus providing a level of consistency which lends stability to the environment where we work and play on Friday night.
The availability of a couple of minibuses from Northlands Youth centre and from the Prestbury Memorial Trust (thank you Rita) ought greatly 
to increase our flexibility with regard to numbers and the taking of a relatively small group off site for more adventurous activities. Perhaps even another trip to Alton Towers might be in the pipeline soon, or more regular excursions to as far away as Oxford, Bristol, or Swindon, where it's really at, or so I hear. Still, minibuses need to be driven, and the county demands certain standards ... are you up to it?
Youthwork in Cheltenham is slowly starting to exist at an effective œcumenical level with the continuing growth and efficacy of the Cheltenham Christian Youth Leaders' Forum (CCYLF). We are pleased to count ourselves amongst their membership and continue to make a valuable and informed contribution as one of the larger clubs in the area. The great project on the horizon is the establishment of a drop-in centre in town to ease the pressure on the satellite clubs such as our own and to cater for those who have outgrown the usual church hall set-up, all with a specific Christian influence and foundation. Such a centre will require a great deal of planning and forethought (and volunteers in the long run), not to mention prayer and goodwill from all the Christian organisations involved, but could be a significant force for good in the life of our wider community if we take proper advice from those who know, and listen to the concerns and opinions of those who care.
Please keep in your prayers our young people and the future of youthwork in our parish, deanery, and diocese. Ask God for his blessing on all that we try to do, and ask Fr. Paul how you can help.
