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Update: Youth event flops again
A FRIDAY night gig for teenagers, organised by Witney Town Council has flopped for the second time.
Only two young people turned up at the town's Langdale Hall, outnumbered by the musicians playing on stage, and the plug was pulled on the event after two hours.
The flop last Friday evening follows a disaster with the first one in early April, which had to be cancelled because of a clash with a Friday night disco at the town's youth centre.
Town councillor Chrissie Curry devised the gigs during her term as mayor, in response to claims that there was not much going on in Witney for teenagers.
She this week admitted there had been some mistakes in organisation, but is determined to press ahead. She told the Gazette: "We now have a youth council set up, and will be using them to get the word spread about what we are putting on for kids in the town. Ideally, that should have been in place before we went ahead with the gigs. But we sent out 20 posters to each of the secondary schools. I'm now told by some teenagers at Henry Box School that they never saw them, so maybe they were put in the wrong places."
On Friday, the bands, Peppermint Vandals and Callum, all from the town's Henry Box School, were playing for free. It started at 7.30pm, but was abandoned at 9.30pm.
The gigs are aimed at 14- to 18-year-olds, with tickets costing £5 a head, and, despite the failure of the first two, Ms Curry is pressing ahead with a third one in July, before the end of school term.
There is no impact on the public purse, because Ms Currie is paying for the hire of the hall - £140 - herself. The bands play for free, and the ticket money is pooled by the council into future youth projects.
Jude Levermore, leader at Base 33 youth centre, said: "You can't make excuses as to why people didn't turn up. None of them from here went. With teenagers it is all about relationship. If your mates are going, you will go, it is about word of mouth. We now have a teenager on the youth council, and so there will be more involvement in the organisation."
Tickets for last Friday's gig were available in advance at Music Stand, Rapture, the town hall, and Corn Exchange office - the event was also given advance publicity in the Gazette and on its website.
The future running of the gigs is to be reviewed. The town council's public halls committee and newly-formed town youth council will have the future of the events on their agendas at meetings this week.
Comments posted on the Gazette website since Friday show a mixed reaction. Becky, of Witney, wrote: "I live in Witney, and I have seen no publicity about this event at all, anywhere around the town."
Pete, a local musician, wrote: "If you want youths to go to gigs 'to get them off the streets' then you need to get them to organise their own gigs . . ."
Dan, from Oxford, wrote: "Hopefully some of the more positive local teenagers can get involved in the planning, but I don't think the tax-funded council should worry too much about whether putting on something is 'patronising' or not."
Ms Curry, who was at the gig on Friday, added: "It was such a shame. They were really fabulous bands, and I would have thought some of their schoolmates would have come along to support them. But I'm not downhearted. We will continue to try and get this thing going."
3:13pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: ADC, Carterton on 3:39pm Tue 13 May 08
This idea for a Friday night "Gig" sounds like an excellent project for the Witney Youth Council, rather than the Town Council.
A good opportunity for some planning, organisation, leadership and promotions for the nelwly elected Youth Councillors!
This idea for a Friday night "Gig" sounds like an excellent project for the Witney Youth Council, rather than the Town Council.
A good opportunity for some planning, organisation, leadership and promotions for the nelwly elected Youth Councillors!
Posted by: Andy, Witney on 3:50pm Wed 14 May 08
The main problem with these gigs, is that the kids dont want to see the bands playing.. there are plenty of established local original bands that bring big crowds all the time when they play. The Corn exchange gig that happened in december is a prime example of what these kids want to see, people came from all over for it. book the right bands and promote it properly and you may actualy get a crowd next time...
The main problem with these gigs, is that the kids dont want to see the bands playing.. there are plenty of established local original bands that bring big crowds all the time when they play. The Corn exchange gig that happened in december is a prime example of what these kids want to see, people came from all over for it. book the right bands and promote it properly and you may actualy get a crowd next time...
Posted by: Ken Gunn, Witney on 7:28pm Wed 14 May 08
Why bother?
Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble!
It won't be long before they are out mugging and smoking dope!!
Why bother?
Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble!
It won't be long before they are out mugging and smoking dope!!
Posted by: Steve Scuffell, Wantage on 7:30pm Wed 14 May 08
I agree Ken,
I suppose thay turned up at Langdale because they had run out of places to burgle!!
I agree Ken,
I suppose thay turned up at Langdale because they had run out of places to burgle!!
Posted by: hugh jarse, 279-552 on 7:54pm Wed 14 May 08
The "young kids" who allegedly are out "mugging and smoking dope" didnt come to your gig because nobody knew about it. I'm sorry but you cant charge £5 for two bands, and people would rather pay on the door than have to mess about buying over priced tickets. The only way I actually knew about this was because my gramp showed me this page. it was a good idea i suppose, but most of us go to the platform or the corn exchange because its less trouble, better value for money and we actually know its happening.
The "young kids" who allegedly are out "mugging and smoking dope" didnt come to your gig because nobody knew about it. I'm sorry but you cant charge £5 for two bands, and people would rather pay on the door than have to mess about buying over priced tickets. The only way I actually knew about this was because my gramp showed me this page. it was a good idea i suppose, but most of us go to the platform or the corn exchange because its less trouble, better value for money and we actually know its happening.
Posted by: ADC, Carterton on 8:48pm Wed 14 May 08
The fundamental point being that Young People need to be engaged from the outset to establish the need and desire for such functions and any other Youth activities for that matter!
To say "Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble" is simply ignorant and defeatist!
If we hope to instill a sense of respect and responsibility in young people then we need to avoid speaking like Ken from Witney!!
The fundamental point being that Young People need to be engaged from the outset to establish the need and desire for such functions and any other Youth activities for that matter!
To say "Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble" is simply ignorant and defeatist!
If we hope to instill a sense of respect and responsibility in young people then we need to avoid speaking like Ken from Witney!!
Posted by: Ken gunn, Witney on 7:10am Thu 15 May 08
What on earth does this mean?
"The fundamental point being that Young People need to be engaged from the outset to establish the need and desire for such functions and any other Youth activities for that matter!"
Talk English!!
With parents like you it's no wonder kids are deliquent!
What on earth does this mean?
"The fundamental point being that Young People need to be engaged from the outset to establish the need and desire for such functions and any other Youth activities for that matter!"
Talk English!!
With parents like you it's no wonder kids are deliquent!
Posted by: It's not that complicated!, WItney on 1:48pm Thu 15 May 08
Okay - Witney music scene has been growing really well for the last couple of years, with Gigs going on at football clubs, halls, pubs and bars. Both Artistes have played in places throughout Witney for ages and dragged together good crowds - but they are older than the 14 year olds that the gig was aimed at and they aren't going to attract people when they have to pay a Fiver to get in and can't even have a drink. I know this is a sad truth...but it is the case. The gigs set up by the council may be a success eventually, however i think "Bare Nang Promotions" of Witney are doing brilliantly on their own...Why try to replicate another event when it's not popular just for the sake of being "P.C"?
It is correct to say that we should get kids to do it themselves...not cos we want them "involved" but it's their culture and they do it better. Fact. If the council do try again then good luck...but they would need to make an effort with publicity this time and do the job properly.
Okay - Witney music scene has been growing really well for the last couple of years, with Gigs going on at football clubs, halls, pubs and bars. Both Artistes have played in places throughout Witney for ages and dragged together good crowds - but they are older than the 14 year olds that the gig was aimed at and they aren't going to attract people when they have to pay a Fiver to get in and can't even have a drink. I know this is a sad truth...but it is the case. The gigs set up by the council may be a success eventually, however i think "Bare Nang Promotions" of Witney are doing brilliantly on their own...Why try to replicate another event when it's not popular just for the sake of being "P.C"?
It is correct to say that we should get kids to do it themselves...not cos we want them "involved" but it's their culture and they do it better. Fact. If the council do try again then good luck...but they would need to make an effort with publicity this time and do the job properly.
Posted by: ADC, Carterton on 6:52pm Thu 15 May 08
How ignorant to make a blanket statement claiming that "Kids are delinquent" If that is what you meant to spell Ken?
How ignorant to make a blanket statement claiming that "Kids are delinquent" If that is what you meant to spell Ken?
Posted by: WAYLANDER, WITNEY on 12:36am Fri 16 May 08
Looking over witney these days it is a far cry from when I grew up here. Its time the young people have a realistic say in what they want. If you dont want them hanging around the streets its about time they had a hang out / music venue of their own. Maybe its time to invest in a cafe/pub type thing with a music venue built in. Then there would be a central place to meet mates and hang out. instead of the buttercross.
Looking over witney these days it is a far cry from when I grew up here. Its time the young people have a realistic say in what they want. If you dont want them hanging around the streets its about time they had a hang out / music venue of their own. Maybe its time to invest in a cafe/pub type thing with a music venue built in. Then there would be a central place to meet mates and hang out. instead of the buttercross.
Posted by: Ken gunn, Witnwey on 12:55pm Fri 16 May 08
A cafe or pub type thing!
Somewhere to meet and trade stolen goods you mean!
You lot are deliqent all rite!
A cafe or pub type thing!
Somewhere to meet and trade stolen goods you mean!
You lot are deliqent all rite!
Posted by: Ken Gunn, Witney on 12:57pm Fri 16 May 08
a cafe or pub type thing!
Somewhere to meet and trade stolen goods you mean!
I would'nt give them house room!
a cafe or pub type thing!
Somewhere to meet and trade stolen goods you mean!
I would'nt give them house room!
Posted by: Astonished, Burford on 2:46pm Fri 16 May 08
Rarely have i read such narrow minded and bigotted rubbish!
"Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble"
"It won't be long before they are out mugging and smoking dope"
Ken, you really shouldn't judge all young people by your own standards or those of your own children!
Rarely have i read such narrow minded and bigotted rubbish!
"Young kids are nothing but bother, hassle and trouble"
"It won't be long before they are out mugging and smoking dope"
Ken, you really shouldn't judge all young people by your own standards or those of your own children!
Posted by: waylander, WITNEY on 7:37pm Fri 16 May 08
Where do you spend your nights then Ken in the pub drinking too much and spoating your ignorant opinion i'll bet. There has always been this problem throughout all the generations i can remember in witney and people like you have hindered not helped the young people of this town.
Where do you spend your nights then Ken in the pub drinking too much and spoating your ignorant opinion i'll bet. There has always been this problem throughout all the generations i can remember in witney and people like you have hindered not helped the young people of this town.
Posted by: Ken Gunn, Witney on 7:34am Sat 17 May 08
Help the young people!
As far as I can tell, they helps themselves, to my stuff if I dont keep it locked up!!
Why don't they just get a job a behave like my smashing kids, good to their mum and everything!
And I only drink at the weekend.
Help the young people!
As far as I can tell, they helps themselves, to my stuff if I dont keep it locked up!!
Why don't they just get a job a behave like my smashing kids, good to their mum and everything!
And I only drink at the weekend.
Posted by: Astonished, Burford on 12:49pm Sat 17 May 08
here here Waylander!
Isn't it astonishing how people consider problems to be "somebody elses responsibility"
Ignorant idiots like Ken never cease to amaze me!
He must be a UKIP sympathiser! ha ha!
here here Waylander!
Isn't it astonishing how people consider problems to be "somebody elses responsibility"
Ignorant idiots like Ken never cease to amaze me!
He must be a UKIP sympathiser! ha ha!
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