Upwell Youth Group
A NEW youth group is being formed at Upwell and already plans for expansion are in the pipeline. At a recent meeting of Upwell Parish Council, 16-year-old Lucy Brand told the council the group already has 18 members and is expecting to recruit many more once facilities are in place. There are plans to offer two sessions – one for junior and one for senior members – each group supported by volunteer parents who are attending youth work training to fulfil their roles.

The group is meeting on Tuesday nights at the pavilion at Upwell Playing Field, which they have renamed 'The Drop-In Shed'. They hope to have such attractions as a pool table and television. Lucy told the Citizen the group needs "somewhere to hang out". "We want people to feel welcome and wanted to give them something to look forward to," she said. She added it would also be a way for newcomers to the village to integrate with existing youngsters and make new friends. The group is working hard to establish a youth club and has already applied for funding to purchase equipment and improve facilities. They are hoping to improve the pavilion and, in time, charge around 50p entry.

Lucy said anyone interested should just 'drop in' on meeting nights from around 7pm. Those attending are aged between 11 and 16, although it is hoped the group will also attract younger children in future.

Crime Update
POLICE Community Support Officers look set to be on their way to the Upwell and Outwell area to nip vandalism in the bud. Both villages have been suffering at the hands of vandals, with church windows attacked and cars damaged, and in one instance a car was written off.

A special meeting was held at Upwell Hall on Thursday to discuss the vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with parish councils from both villages among those present. Glenn Watkins, anti-social behaviour officer with West Norfolk Borough Council, was also there, as were police from Terrington, in a bid to get something done. The villages have been experiencing mindless vandalism and are acting before it gets out of hand. "Both parish councils and police came to the same conclusion, that we need information," said a parish council spokesman.

Parents and guardians are being asked to ensure they know where their children are at all times – and who they are with. "If you see a crime of any sort, or anti-social behaviour, we want you to report it," the spokesman said. Norfolk police can be contacted on 0845-456-4567 and Cambridgeshire on 0845-456-4564. The Outwell parish council clerk can be contacted at 90 Wisbech Road, Outwell, and the Upwell clerk at 29 Lister's Road in the village.

It is hoped at least one police community support officer will patrol the villages in the next few months. The spokesman added the villages appeared to be no worse off than others for vandalism but it is hoped to stop it in its tracks.