Grove Parish Council

 

The Parish Council regard The Sweatbox as an extremely valuable community asset in Wantage, Grove and the surrounding villages for the young people, it is run with professionalism, dedication and has been run very effectively for years. 

 

The provision of ‘The Sweaty’ on Friday evenings in Wantage had been very well thought out and planned with the support of the Police, Street Pastors, King Alfred’s School, volunteer youth workers and most important of all the young people themselves to provide a safe venue for those attending.

 

The Parish Council believe that the reason to close down ‘The Sweaty’ before it had even re-launched was due to concern over the numbers attending such events, random breathalysing of young people and other factors. The Parish Council know that numbers attending previous Friday night events have far exceeded the expectations of those charged with the organising and managing of the events. This is surely a step in the right direction in providing a facility that is very well managed by a dedicated staff of volunteers and professionals, and by the young people themselves. 

 

Surely you can see that the provision of The Sweaty is what the young people want, and closing this provision is a slap in the face to every single young person, volunteer and professional outside agencies that had contributed to the planning process of these events.

 

The Parish Council, on behalf of the Young People of Grove, Wantage and surrounding villages urge you and Councillor Chapman to reconsider the decision to close down The Sweaty before 300 or so young people in the local community turn their back on a very well established facility that they call their own."