Helen (Len) and I decided to take a walk to see who else was around, and on the way met with 6 more youngsters, much younger than the other lads, and suggested they'd get free hot chocolate if they dropped into The King's House. Then we continued up to Alexandra Gardens to see if anyone else was around - but there was nobody.
Getting back to The King's House later, all of the kids were there, drinking, chatting (much of it silly chatter) but rubbing along nevertheless. The older ones weren't that keen to associate with the younger ones, but there was no animosity from either side. The older lads left and pinched one the younger lad's bikes - but we later saw up the road that they'd given it back. They were just having fun in the way that kids do.
What did come out of the nattering though was a possible child-protection issue that we must keep our eye on. But we have to be really sensitive here as well and no doubt we'll be taking advice on it. It was dark and these kids didn't look that old. I for one would really prefer to meet nobody out on the streets when it's dark. Meeting kids of this age is a worry but I guess a fact of life currently.
We think that in the coming weeks we'll probably get in some pizza and get out some of the kit that Chill & Chat uses, like their snooker table and air-hockey. Hopefully we can build up a clientelle for when The Vyne's drop-in gets going. If young people are going to be out (not at home), it's probably better for them to be somewhere safe. But we're only doing this in Knaphill one night a week, therefore we're only really scratching the surface.
Have to say again, our grateful thanks to Eric for enabling our use of The King's House. Just goes to show what a valuable facility we have in the village.
Thanks to all for your prayers
Love
John
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