A village has a youth club again – after an absence of nine years.

The first meeting of the new Headcorn Youth Club attracted 13 youngsters. The second meeting on Monday had 15.

It has been made possible by the opening of the Heart Of Headcorn, in the village’s former Methodist Church, which has been recently purchased by the community.

The youth club meets in the old school room at the rear of the church each Monday from 7pm until 9pm.

It is run by Kent County Council’s Children’s Services team with Rob Yorke as the youth worker in charge.

Cllr Martin Round, who previously personally ran the Headcorn Youth forum in the village for many years, said he was delighted to see a youth club back.

He said: “There has been no service for the past nine years, despite a great need.”

“It’s been a major wish of mine to resurrect some form of service, especially since the Covid years. I’m so pleased to see this.”

The former Headcorn Youth Forum had some surplus funds when it closed down, and Cllr Round handed a cheque for the amount to Mr Yorke to support the club.

Mr Yorke said: “During the winter, we have pool, table football, arts and crafts, and life skills activities – like cookery lessons.

“In the summer we will be playing footballl, badminton and rounders on Parsonage Meadow.

“But it’s up to the club members really, we will do what they are interested in.”

Many projects are emerging

The club caters for 11 to 17-year-olds with an extension to 25 for young adults with learning difficulties.

Anyone requiring more information can email infozoneyouthhub@gmail.com

The youth club is one of many services either returning or now being offered in the village for the first time since the Heart Of Headcorn opened, officially only two weeks ago.

Cllr Round said: “The centre is already being well used and I'm really pleased it’s also becoming a small and ‘up close’ music venue.

“We’ve already had opera and folk music, and there’s another musical night, Showtime, on November 11.

“As a result of the Heart of Headcorn, many projects are emerging – not just where groups hire the facilities, but also where needs are addressed and issues grasped.”