This newspaper photograph dates back to 1970 and shows members of Shifnal (St Andrew’s) Youth Club raising funds for their club by dressing in pyjamas and pushing beds round Shifnal.  The newspaper report says that they raised £45 that day, equivalent to over £850 today.  You may recognise some of the faces:  certainly Gerald Nickless is noticeable standing in the centre in striped pyjamas.

The Youth Club had been formed in 1963 by the Rev Tony Villiers, Shifnal’s new young curate.  The launch was a bonfire in November of that year.  All members had to be at least 14 years old.  They met at the old Church Room on two evenings per week – Thursdays and Sundays.  The charge was 1s per session but only 6d on Sundays if you attended evensong prior to the meeting.

Activities included table tennis, snooker, darts, ‘loud music’, board games, and various visits and camps.  As the club developed,  members and teams also participated  in competitions organised by the Shropshire Association of Youth Clubs and the National Association of Youth Clubs.  Lesley Jones, from Shifnal, was voted Queen of the Clubs in 1974, teams reached national finals in 5-a-side football, quizzing and netball.  In March 1970, Sue Moss, (now Richards), gained the National Youth Leadership Award for her outstanding qualities of leadership and enthusiasm in supporting her club.

By 1970, there were 140 members.  The leader was Peter Taylor, assisted by three other helpers, and supported by a members’ committee.  When Peter left Shifnal for a new job, the Club was taken over by Gerald and Archie Richards, who continued leading the club for over 30 years.  Members continued to meet in the Church Room but in 1968 the club decided it needed premises of its own.  An adult committee was formed to start looking for a suitable building in Shifnal which resulted in the move into the old school canteen on the Bridgnorth Road, now known as Shifnal Youth Club.  Tony Villiers returned to Shifnal in July 1973 to conduct the official opening.  75% of the cost of refurbishing the building had been met by grants from national and local government, but 25% had been raised by the club itself – what an achievement.

As proposals to relaunch youth clubs at the Trinity Centre appear in the local news, it is good to be able to look back at what was provided for Shifnal young people 50 years ago, the amount of support from the County Councils and National Government but mostly the attitude of self-help amongst the members of the Youth Club themselves.  At the Local History Exhibition, in the old Fire Station, we are fortunate to have scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings covering the 1970s – 1990s, which are a source of endless interest and information about our town.  Do drop in to browse through them.  The Fire Station is open every Friday 2 – 4pm and Saturday 10 – 12noon.