YOUTH is being given its own say into how teen-gang problems can be cleared up on a massive council estate, traumatised in recent times by hooligan behaviour.
The local kids are being invited to suggest measures that could steer youngsters away from vandalism and threatening behaviour and guide them towards healthy recreational and social pursuits.
And giving the teenagers a voice in the matter is already beginning to show results, claims Roy Litherland, chairman of a local tenants' and residents' association, formed less than three months ago to cover the adjoining Clinkham Wood, Moss Bank and Carr Mill areas of St Helens.
The association, which has forged a close liaison with another newly-formed group, Friends of Clinkham Wood, recently organised a special youngsters' meeting. There was an encouraging attendance of 60.
"The kids were able to express their own opinions about life on the estate", said Mr Litherland, "and to explain what drives some of them to anti-social behaviour".
A lot of it came down to boredom with the usual teen complain of "having nothing to do" on an estate where shocking incidents of bus stoning, fire-raising, fence wrecking, attacks on cars and property, and even the physical threat and verbal abuse on a visiting doctor have been reported in recent times.
Now, aiming to combat this menace, plans are in hand to launch an ambitious programme of sport, culture and environmentally based pursuits, kicking-off with a full-scale traditional May Day gala on the Windermere Avenue fields.
And there's to be a special award for those youngsters willing to help raise the profile of the trouble-plagued Clinkham Wood estate.
"We hope to form individual teams, with 10 youngsters in each, awarding marks over the months for those making a positive contribution to improving the quality of life in the district", said Mr Litherland.
The top points-scoring team would be rewarded with an adventure weekend in Wales.
Mr Litherland was keen to praise the co-operation from the Friends group, police, local council and staff. "I stressed from the outset that there could be no quick fix in sorting out our problems but we are already seeing heartening signs. "I have been told, officially, that behaviour on the streets is now improving".
The big May 7 gala has a host of attractions including five-a-side soccer (with at least one girl in each team) a children's disco, fairground and sideshow attractions, a traditional maypole with ribbon dancers, brass band, competitive races, morris dancing troupes, an inter-pub tug o' war competition, treasure hunt and, for the more senior citizens, a flower show, cake stalls and refreshments.
Three large marquees will house many of the attractions and local kids are being invited to join in a competition to design a suitable focal point for the big day.
Meanwhile, work is proceeding, with professional forestry help, on the clean-up of the remaining section of historic Clinkham Wood. This represents one of the special aims of the Friends group.
A volunteer 'Fly-tipping Watch' is in action to report anyone dumping rubbish in the wooded area; and 'pooper scooper' regulations have been introduced to prevent dog owners allowing their pets to foul the public area and adjoining playing fields.
Mr Litherland acknowledges that the association had its doubters when set up in December. Some pessimists felt that the movement would peter out. "But we are going from strength to strength and it's a battle we will win", said Mr Litherland.
Their new HQ, (a room in the local Black House building) is open each Tuesday and Thursday, from 10am to 2pm, serving as a drop-in point for anyone wishing to join the association, register a complaint or suggest problem-busting measures.
In a drive to recruit more members, the residents' group, which hopes to attract substantial grants, has three places on the estate where people can sign up: Carole's chipshop in Wythburn Crescent; Roy's papershop at Dalehead Place; and the Tanzania sunbed premises in Bassenthwaite Avenue.
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