It’s a Knockout

After listening to the wishes of all the youngsters as we went round the youth groups and also spoke to any youth we could find who wasn’t in an organised group, it became very apparent to the Chairman of the Parish Council and me that we had to carry their wishes to a positive conclusion.

With the help of the youth leaders and the Amenities Committee – ‘It’s a Knockout’ was evolved. Each youth group was to come up with a game requiring skill, dexterity and fun. We, on the Amenities Committee, got on with the score cards, posters and getting in money to help fund this day because it had to be self-supporting.

The week leading up to this special event was such a worry. The weather was atrocious. The rain came down in sheets so contingency plans were thought through. Why did we worry? Saturday dawned and oh joy, the sun was shining and it was warm. It was meant to be! All that hard work came together.

The teams and their helpers all turned up and lots of youngsters came on the off-chance so we made up teams for them. Families had their own teams. It’s at times like this that you know all the work was worthwhile. The teams really did well with their choice of games - all challenging and inventive, also a lot of fun and really brought out the competitive spirit of our teams.

Our very special thanks go to David Gow, (Chairman of the PAYFC) who was an extremely proficient MC and he really kept it all together – a brilliant job! To see the recreation ground used to its full potential was a very rewarding sight.

The team from The Mix group at the Baptist Church won with overall points; very well done to them, but seeing all the effort that all the youngsters put in to this made them all stars. Cllr David Coleman, the Parish Council Chairman, presented the cup to the delighted Mix team. When we asked the participating youngsters if they wanted to do it again, we got a resounding ‘YES!’ It was very heartening to hear and see their responses and their enjoyment that afternoon – all worth the hard work.

I would like to say thank you to the following people for all their help; all the youth leaders, my colleagues on the Parish Council and their partners, Stephen and his carers (Mick and Susanne) who did a superb job on the tombola stall. The BBQ was another huge success as was the tea stall run by Carol and Kevin. A very special ‘thank you’ to the Scouts and Guides for the use of their facilities, very welcome. A total of £917.45 was raised towards equipment for the new youth area in the recreation ground.

And lastly, but importantly, to our sponsors who donated money, notably Town & Country Housing who recognise the work Pembury is doing towards community enjoyment, DB Estates who donated the precious cup; this will be fought for keenly over the years ahead. All our local firms who were so generous and giving to this day. I don’t quite know how to tell them yet but due to public demand I shall be in touch next year. Please be as generous again. I can only end with ‘Thank you, Pembury’ as the village is always there, willing it all to go well.

June Crowhurst