AMC’s Youth Club Reunion
BACK TO THE 60’S IN 2010
During the English Defence League’s demonstration in Aylesburyover the May bank holiday, a different group was meeting at the Methodist Church. It was a reunion of 46 members and partners of the Buckingham Street church’s 1960’s youth club.
Hosted by their club leaders Chris and Brian Taylor, the event included an evening meal at the Holiday Inn. This was followed by a Sunday service led by former youth club member Peter Honeyball and a lunch in the newly refurbished hall of the church’s community centre. The lion’s share of the organising was done by Lynda Clarke (née Garrard) and Barbara Pearce (née Lancaster). During prayers in the service, Fran Preston gave thanks for “the humour and love of the youth club leaders and their madness for taking on the job in the first place.”
Peter Honeyball congratulated the church on its investment in youth over the last 50 years, reflected in its influence on communities both far and wide. One member had travelled from Canada for the event and others came from all over the country thanks to some diligent tracking down and detective work.
It was “a wonderful weekend catching up on old stories with lots of laughs going down Memory Lane”, said organiser Barbara Pearce. “How easy it is after 40 years. We just all clicked again.” “It’s been brilliant that they’ve all turned up,” said Chris Taylor. “They have made us feel very special.” Husband Brian added, “Everyone has enjoyed it immensely.”
Retired Bucks County Council youth worker Shirley Stokes was also at the event. Together with many of those present, she was instrumental in helping to start what is now the UK’s longest running international club-to-club youth exchange with the German sports club T.u.S. Daun. So the next reunion may well be the 50th anniversary of that youth club exchange due in 2013.
