A WOMAN who joined Bidford Youth Club for work temporary experience, is still there 30 years later.

What's more, Diane Bennett's enthusiasm led her brothersJeremy and James to carry out voluntary work and between them the siblings have notched up 75 years.

The dedication has been recognised by the Warwickshire Association of Youth Clubs who presented Miss Bennett and her brothers with a long service award recently.

‘The Shack’ where the youth club is housed, is situated in a 40-year-old building with full facilities and direct access to the river.

Although it almost closed down two years ago, with no county funding and membership down to half a dozen, it was saved thanks to a cheque for £2,000 and huge local publicity and support from the community to carry out a refurbishment of the club building. There are now 70 young people in the junior youth club and twelve more in the senior club.

Miss Bennett said that young people are very different to thirty years ago, when they had no computers, social media and games consoles, and now there is much more that takes their attention, which means lower attendance. When she started it was one of only a few opportunities available and there were still twenty year olds attending. The types of activity have changed, especially with the younger ones, who often don’t seem to know how to occupy themselves. There is a need to engage them more and the juniors normally have an organized activity each week. Outside activities include basket ball and volleyball and are designed to encourage team work and motivation.

James Bennett joined 25 years ago to do a craft session, and never left while Jeremy joined as a member aged nine and has been a leader for nearly 20 years. He also operates St John Ambulance Cadets based on the premises.

William Clemmey, Chief Executive of WAYC said, ‘This is an example of true commitment to young people in Bidford upon Avon by the Bennett family. They have fought closure, and now have a thriving youth club, thanks to their hard work and enthusiasm. We need more volunteers who are willing to commit their time to help run local youth clubs, as sadly many are closing down. I give my thanks to all of them!’