I had a great night this week in a packed King Georges Hall, our magnificent public halls.

The event was Blackburn College’s FE (Further Education) Awards, mainly, but not exclusively, with young people following vocational courses or A levels.

Those getting recognised intended or were destined to become hairdressers, dentists, engineers, care workers, teachers, plumbers, sports managers, joiners, service men and women, probably most importantly, the next generation of great Mums and Dads They had their Mums, Dads, carers, grandparents and other family members with them, they were rightly proud of their charges. So was I as Chair of the Governors there.

Blackburn Rover and local lad David Dunn presented the Awards alongside guest speaker and self confessed, reformed ex-local ruffian, Johnny Magee, who explained his life had been turned around by attending the College to learn plumbing. Later we were royally entertained by College based band Right Lines.

We have a great team at the College: the best buildings and environment we can afford, the best management, teachers and students. Ofsted rate us as “Outstanding”.

My beginnings were humble, I told the 200+ audience, without any violins playing; brought up on a council estate by my Mum and attending the local comp. But I worked hard, did my best and spent 30+ years as a youth worker, trying to help others tread their own but a similar path.

Who knows, I pondered, would one of them be in my place on 30 or 40 years time? I hoped so.

I urged them to celebrate that evening and feel proud. And then tomorrow, face the future, better equipped.

“You’re ahead of the Game, stay there!” I concluded.

There are those Jeremiahs who can only and appear to relish rubbishing all young people en bloc.

Have more Faith!