Shanklin Deputy Mayor, Sue Godden, recently presented special certificates from the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant to volunteers at Shanklin Voluntary Youth & Community Centre as they celebrated over 25 years of volunteering at the centre.
The evening included the premiere of a special 30-minute film ‘Shanklin VYCC – 25+ years of Making A Difference’, narrated by Andy Shier, who has supported the Victoria Avenue centre over the last quarter of a century.
Charting the centre in its formative years, film of former members Cheryl Mortimer and Lesley Young (part of Hills Angels Dance Troupe) and Radio Solent’s Alex Dyke are included, as is rare footage of carnivals and fayres involving the centre.
Judi Griffin MBE JP DL recounts opening the centre in October 1996, alongside previously unseen footage of the 1996 opening, as well as Halloween evenings, the football team and the visits of Prince Edward and Countess Mountbatten.
The evening coincided with the appearance of former youth centre member Ellis Durand, part of the Wet Leg band, on BBC 2’s Later with… Jools Holland, and was attended by local councillors, members of Green Town Volunteers, Shanklin Carnival, Rotary and users of the centre.
Original 1996 members Mark Biddlecombe and Kylie McDermott, who joined in the celebrations online from Australia, helped present Paul Biddlecombe, Julie Leaver, Jon Gilbey and Richard Priest their commemorative certificates, as well as cut the 25th anniversary cake.
