News

COMMUNITY CENTRE BAN UNDER 18'S

A notice posted in the Hawkinge Community Centre banning under 18's from the centre has angered residents and parish councillors.

The Gazette was told the ban stemmed from an incident involving some rowdy behaviour.

Young people who attend clubs at the centre will be unaffected.

The Chairman of Hawkinge Parish Council, David Callahan said he was shocked. The council had recently thrown the ailing centre a £5,000 lifeline to keep the building open.

"I can't believe they have done it. It was an arbitrary decision. That is no way to run a trust," he said.

"You cannot ban all young people, they should not all be tarred with the same brush."

An angry Cllr Callahan continued: "Are they saying everyone under 18 is a vandal?

"I don't understand the logic behind throwing out a whole group because of the perceived action of o­ne person.

"The Community Centre is for the use of everybody in the village and the same rules should apply to everyone.

"I shall be speaking face to face with the trustees for a full explanation."

A disgusted Cllr Peter Smith said that putting up notices in the Community Centre banning the youth did not help bring the community together.

" The centre was built for everybody and the youth are a part of that community. I am disgusted." said Cllr Smith

The Gazette has been unable to speak to any  trustees of the centre.