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Fear for future

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

South London Press

Fear for future

Feb 15 2005
By Gareth Dorrian

THE founder of a historic youth club has demanded assurances about its future.

Fred Peters, a former piano player who once performed in front of Mick Jagger, set up Ethelred youth club in the wake of the Brixton riots 24 years ago.

But volunteers have not yet been able to secure a long-term lease that would help the organisation with future funding.

Mr Peters is unsure if Lambeth council wants to grant the lease.

More than 100 troubled kids in Kennington and further afield use the facility in Lollard Street every week for sport and a range of other activities.

Mr Peters said: "This has been going on for years. Some time ago it seemed that Lambeth wanted the place to build affordable housing.

"Developers told us about their intentions and we started a dialogue.

"But we were bulldozed with a barrage of bureaucracy and nothing was ever resolved."

Mr Peters, 58, added: "If a child comes to me and says he is hungry because he's fallen out with his parents, I'll give him some money for fish and chips and we can talk about it at the club.

"But things aren't simple like that with the council."

Mr Peters said a lease of less than seven years made it more difficult to get funding for equipment and repairs.

He added: "We need security and want to see the council embracing the organisation for its good work."

A council spokeswoman said: "We are proactively working with the club and its users to secure a long lease and to develop the surrounding areas in line with regeneration plans for the area so the facilities and venue can be fully utilised by the young community members."

(posted 6957 days ago)

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