The Elstead Youth Club was formed in 1982 shortly after the Youth Centre was opened in the former Telephone Exchange next to the Village Hall.  For the first 18 months it was run by David Stanniford.  Pam Chandler took over in mid 1984 and ran it till mid 1999 with assistance from Jackie Spring, Ken Mitchell and Phil Netley.  Afterwards Jackie and Ken took over the reins and ran it until 2002 with help from Stuart Matthews.

Surrey County Council supported the Youth Club until 2002, its main contribution being the financial and training support for the Youth Leaders.  In the summer of 2002 the County Council withdrew direct support for the Youth Club and, for separate reasons, Jackie, Ken and Stuart all decided to hand in their notices.

This left the Youth Club Management Committee with two problems: no staff and no funding.  The Youth Club closed for a year whilst new leaders and new funding sources were found.  Scott Farmer, from Surrey University, and Richard Harris from Farnham stepped into the breach and John Foster, then County Councillor, helped significantly with the funding.  Surrey County Council Community Services also assisted with the funding and the Club was able to re-open in September 2003.

Both Scott and Richard had to relinquish their leadership in 2004 because of work commitments and their places were taken by Andy Gilbert and Lorraine Lewis. 

Throughout the years that the Youth Club has operated many volunteers, including some former Youth Club members, have given their time and energies freely to keep the Youth Club afloat and the Management Committee thanks them and all the leaders for their dedicated work.  Thanks also go to Ben Tilly for his assistance in keeping the equipment in good shape, and to the Parish Council for grants towards equipment and activities.

Like most organisations, the fortunes of the Youth Club have waxed and waned over the years.  The Youth Club provided a safe place for young people in Elstead and Thursley to meet and socialise and provided a haven for about thirty youngsters at any one time.  Over the 23 years that the club was in existence, many young people benefited.  There have been many successes, including a number of drama events/Christmas shows, clothes shows, entries into the Paper Boat Race, sporting tournaments with other youth clubs, night hikes and sleepovers, parties and barbeques.  We have had presentations from the Police and Army, and a number of fund-raising activities including (very wet) car washes and jumble sales.

From time to time there have been problems with behaviour and discipline and these have had to be dealt with fairly, but firmly.  In the early part of this year, however, the behaviour of the members and their disregard for the rules of the club led the Management Committee to take the decision that the Youth Club should close.  This decision was not taken lightly.  The Club closed at the end of March.

The Management Committee has now formally wound up the affairs of the Youth Club and has "mothballed" the remaining funds and equipment.  The "Custodian Trustees" of the remaining assets will be the Rector, Michael Clarkson Webb and Peter Hartley.  If anyone would like to resurrect the club, please see one of us.

Peter Hartley

John Way would like to express his grateful thanks to the many kind friends who sent cards and messages of condolence during Marjorie's time in hospital and her subsequent death on May 15^th, and for the cherished memories which they recalled.  It is comforting to know that she is remembered with such affection.

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