TEENAGERS in Marlborough made a touching gesture by gathering in the town hall to thank councillors at an Area Board meeting for helping fund a new youth club.

The initiative, spearheaded by Marlborough Town councillor Lisa Farrell, gives youngsters a place to socialise and enjoy activities every Friday following the closure of the former youth club last year.

It was launched in May by the Marlborough Community Youth Project after their bid of £1,762, to pay for the hire of the Marlborough Development Centre in St Margaret’s Mead, was granted last year by the Marlborough Area Board.

At the meeting last Tuesday, the teenagers spoke of how it has benefited them, including helping build their confidence and giving them a safe place to meet their friends and relax.

Marlborough Town councillor Justin Cook, who is a volunteer along with coun Mervyn Hall, said: “It is unbelievably rewarding and been a fantastic five months so far and we are loving it.”

Aldbourne Youth Council also thanked the Area Board for the £5,000 in June to provide activities to young people in the area over the summer holidays.

Other items on the agenda was a report from Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, who said there had been a 2.7 per cent reduction in crime in the county in the past year, as well as 4.2 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour and more crime is  being reported.

Marlborough Town Council announced the Christmas light switch-on will be taking place on November 20 at 7pm. They are also looking for nominations for their Citizen of the year Award and forms can be picked up from their office at 5 High Street or by going on their website. They will also be organising an event to find a new town crier.

Wiltshire Council public health consultants Justine Womack and Kate Blackburn spoke of their plans introducing parenting programmes to tackle child poverty around the county. They said figures from the DWP on child poverty show that 10.6 per cent of children in the county were living in poverty in 2012.

In the Marlborough area there were 235 children living in poverty which was equivalent to 7.8 per cent of youngsters in the area according to the statistics, 36.3 per cent were aged five-ten and 12.8 per cent were aged 16-19.

A £5,000 grant was also awarded from councillors during the evening to The Merchant’s House in the High Street towards the £17,000 needed to restore the 17th century second floor bedroom, which members of the public can visit.

Marlborough Allotment Association was given just over £350 towards helping with drainage at the allotments and Elcot Lane Playing Field Action Group have £750 approved to plant more trees.