IT'S all systems go at last for a new youth club to serve a cluster of rural communities near Hingham.The Chill Out Club will be set up at Hardingham and will serve youngsters aged between seven and 17, not just from the village but neighbouring places.

IT'S all systems go at last for a new youth club to serve a cluster of rural communities near Hingham.

The Chill Out Club will be set up at Hardingham and will serve youngsters aged between seven and 17, not just from the village but neighbouring places.

An introductory meeting will take place at Hardingham Memorial Hall next Tuesday from 7pm-9pm, at which children and teenagers will be invited to give club organisers a wish-list of the equipment they would like to have.

Then the first session proper of the Chill Out Club has been fixed for Tuesday, June 17. The idea is to run the group after that on alternate Tuesdays.

The club's launch marks a personal achievement for Hardingham parish clerk Lynn Whitwell, who became its driving force after going along to investigate a minor case of vandalism at a bus shelter in the village.

Noticing the words “Bored, bored, bored” had been daubed in graffiti, she decided one day to wait for the school bus and to ask youngsters why they felt that way.

A year on, having secured some £1,500 in grants from Breckland Council, the Norfolk Youth Fund and the Norfolk Council for Voluntary Youth Services, she and her helpers - including enthusiastic young people - have brought the regular gatherings to fruition.

Lynn said this week: “Obviously, we hope the club will give the youngsters something to do, and we're hoping it will develop relationships with the community so that eventually they'll want to become involved in the village fete and in the other clubs that we have here.

“Initially, I was frustrated with how long it was taking to set up - it has been a year - but now I'm really happy that we have stuck with it and seen it through.”

Lynn said younger children had asked already to have some craft materials, and she was looking forward to hearing at the meeting what the older ones wanted.

For more information about the Chill Out Club call Lynn on 01953 850499.