Topic ID 1251
Hi, a few people have already pointed out that there is nothing todo in hertford for teenagers. These are the only things that i have found todo in hertford in my teenage years: -Get drunk -Smoke weed -hang around in usually cold places (all potentionally boring) Yes i could have gone to the zoo cafe, or the corn exchange, but i dont particually like the people or music there. The corn exchange is generally rubbish, the music is pretty poor, and as its full of 14 yearolds, its not really a place that someone under 18 can go. I would rather see some Drum'n'bass or proper house djs there, and pay four or five pounds to get in. The zoo cafe is much the same, firstly its only open until 10, and its not open on a saturday! If it were open longer, has a better atmosphere and played some music, i would have probably attended. I would prefer the murcury to do an article about the huge amount of cocaine that is dealt and consumed in hertford, What do you expect when you have so many middle class 20-30yearolds with disposable income? There is tons of drugs around, and by the time they get here, they are mostly baby powder. Maybe the police could do something about that, instead of trying to fine some teenagers? To be really honest, i think hertford is ****e, most of the people are shallow middle class boring snobs, or boring stoners. Thats mainly due to the fact that hertford doesent care for 'the kids', it caters for the older middle class people, with all its trendy bars and clubs, because thats where the money is at. I prefer to goto harlow, hitchin, london, anywhere but hertford. When i have kids i know i wont be bringing them up in hertford. A cinema and a skate park could be a good start.
Reply ID 14800
Yeah, I agree. A skate park would be great. Although I can't skate, it would be somewhere for us teens to hang out with friends and watch those skater boys. :P he he
Reply ID 14802
with the skate park vandalism will be a large problem. especially from those who dont value the idea of it.
Reply ID 14804
the skate park would be good for the bmxers and for the skater an a good place to film some legal going on such as skaters an bikers but for the chavs it would be somewhere to sit an drink an just one more place to ruin an ther probably wouldnt be much skating going on after a few weeks due to chavs taunting an abusing anyone that went there love xxx
Reply ID 14806
exactly sean. so as good as the skate park would be for us in once sense it would still cause trouble in an another. so somthing needs to be done for both. And as i keep saying the council arnt exactly helping with the ups and downs of weather the skate park will or will not go ahead. its not like we havnt been helping to get it.
Reply ID 14808
See the attached link about the current Youth strategy that the council have. Go to the East Herts council website and have a root through for more info. As far as I can see, there was a meeting at Castle Hall on 4 April 2005 where it was minuted that a skatepark would open in Hartham in May 2006. Around £180k had been "promised". http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/community/Youth%20Strategy%20-%20(Aug%2003).pdf
Reply ID 14809
exactly "promised"
Reply ID 14811
To be really honest, i think hertford is ****e, most of the people are shallow middle class boring snobs, or boring stoners. Thats mainly due to the fact that hertford doesent care for 'the kids', it caters for the older middle class people, with all its trendy bars and clubs, because thats where the money is at. I prefer to goto harlow, hitchin, london, anywhere but hertford. When i have kids i know i wont be bringing them up in hertford. I'm so glad you go to Harlow and Hitchin and the likes of Baroosh and the Hillside don't cater for you. Try working for a living
Reply ID 14818
That not exactly helping the topic is it.
Reply ID 14856
The hill side is a very fine establishment, as for baroosh i heard they serve hogarden on tap, however im not over 21 and i dont have a 'certain amount of disposable income' as the manager once commented. The people that populate those towns Harlow and Hitchin that you comment of are much more rounded, they dont care for people with trendy lacose trainers, or the hottest celebrity trends. No they seem to have more intelligence, and are far more interesting than your average office monkey. I actually run a fairly successful business, and next year i will venture to university. I ask you Richard, have you been to university? The university of life does not count.
Reply ID 14866
Flux - this is not a chat room as Admin has pointed out. However since my comments have gained a rise - I'll reply and leave it at that. I am over 21 (just over 30) and I have frequented both the Uni of life as well as attending a respected academic establishment. But what does going University mean anyway when it comes to success and personal fulfilment? You provide too much flattery with the prospect of Uni having a pot of gold at the end of it. Do you guys think you are the first generation of people to be young, skint and bored??!! Believe it when I say all teenagers (including myself at the time in the late 80's) faced these issues in the past - alot more so - you guys have it pretty good. But do you know what?? You get good friends, develop relationships, make the right moves, get a part time job and don't rely on other people to provide the entertainment. You work for money take responsibility and take action. It's called responsibility and growing up - you sound like you don't need this lesson (compliment - by the way), but some teenagers might want to take note. "here endeth the lesson" Connery - the Untouchables (1987)
Reply ID 14881
Flux, as you run a "successful business" and you hate Hertford, why don't you move to Arlow now?
Reply ID 14894
I have to say that although I don't want to sound like my parents, I agree with Richard. Hertford is not alone in providing limited facilites for teenagers. FLUX: you commented on the Corn Exchange & Zoo not catering for your tastes in music etc, but if they change to cater for you, they would then alienate others who enjoy it's current format. Exactly what facilites do Harlow & Hitchin have that Hertford doesn't? Have you tried raising these issues with anyone at the council? If none of you speak up, how are they supposed to know that anything is wrong? I would welcome a skate park on Hartham. We didn't have anything as luxurious when I was 18 (way back in 1991). We did have a BMX track that consisted of a few bumps and banked turns, but it got little use once the BMX craze died out. We did exactly what you guys do now. We hung out with friends, we had mates over or we went to their houses. End of story.
Reply ID 14907
Flux, Baroosh no longer serve Hoegaarden on tap. It’s now Erdinger a German wheat beer, nice, but it’s no Hoegaarden. The White Horse has it in bottles. And try the Barge, as its definitely on tap there, neither are 21’s either. I cant comment on the trendy trainer situation at the pubs though (although surely most people wear some sort of trendy uniform depending on what ‘clan’ they associate themselves with, be it chav, goth, skater, middle aged boring, etc. etc.). On to the topic. I think there is a lack of resources for younger people. Perhaps more than when I was younger but times change and I think all people expect a lot more choice on things we consume now than people did in the past. For example, there was only Blue Nun wine available in most supermarkets when I was 18, now if people today complain over the lack of wine selection in say Tesco should I scowl and tell them what I did ‘when I was lad’ and how it did me no harm? From reading messages from other forum members here I think a few people have some contacts within the local council. I’m no expert, but surely a group of adult, tax paying, voters would have more of an impact getting the council to do something than a group of perceived trouble making kids? Is there something someone with council contacts can do to directly help?
Reply ID 14908
quote:You have to remember that these kids will soon be of a voting age, and it may be them who dictates who is/isn't elected back in to office when the next election comes around. SO, the council should take note of their views.
Originally posted by Avarice
From reading messages from other forum members here I think a few people have some contacts within the local council. I’m no expert, but surely a group of adult, tax paying, voters would have more of an impact getting the council to do something than a group of perceived trouble making kids? Is there something someone with council contacts can do to directly help?
Reply ID 14916
quote:More common than some people think: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland are all countries on our doorstep that have compulsory military service requirements. Alternatively, most offer the option of civilian service or community service. Culling's not a bad option though.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Bring back National Service!!![}:)]
Reply ID 14917
quote:True indeed. I think many council members are short sighted and don’t really consider kids who want a skate park (for example) as a threat to voting them out in say 4 years considering the statistics show many young people who already feel alienated now just wont vote at all. My theory is they will take more seriously someone that has connections, is 35+, has their own home, ok job, wife, someone a politician can relate to and that is able to vote now (with a higher percentage chance they do already use their vote and will continue to do so) than a say a 15 year old in skater clothes that likes Steve-O, CKY2, Jackass. To be fair (and it was probably in jest), you wouldn’t say things like ‘you should do national service’ or ‘cull him’ to an older person. I find it likely these sorts of sentiments, whilst not voiced out loud, would still be thought by from council members when these kids came a calling and an adult group appealing more to a council member would have more sway.
Originally posted by thefair1973quote:You have to remember that these kids will soon be of a voting age, and it may be them who dictates who is/isn't elected back in to office when the next election comes around. SO, the council should take note of their views.
Originally posted by Avarice
From reading messages from other forum members here I think a few people have some contacts within the local council. I’m no expert, but surely a group of adult, tax paying, voters would have more of an impact getting the council to do something than a group of perceived trouble making kids? Is there something someone with council contacts can do to directly help?
Reply ID 14919
Dont know why my post was removed. I do believe there are a number of 16 to 20 year olds that would benefit from National Service. I would have!
Reply ID 14922
It might be helpful if rather than just posting the words "National Service" without any context, you were to explain more fully why you hold that beleif and how you feel it might be of benefit. Simply posting "National Service" could come across as just flippant. [:)]
Reply ID 14924
It would be interesting to see how the council reacted to being lobbied by a group of teenagers and THEN being lobbied by a group of us oldies if nothing was done. It would give the youngsters: a) something to do and b) some experience of how real life works I no progress was made, I'd be more than happy to back them up. I'd also hope to see some support from other forum members judging by the comments I've read over the past few days.
Reply ID 14926
i know majority of us "youngsters" would appreciate yur help x
Reply ID 14933
Ok - I'm not going to be totally negative about teenagers as it's easy to knock them when you've all grown up. What I would like to know is given there's nothing to do - given a limitless budget and brief, what would you want to do between the ages of 13 - 18? I don't think it's right for adults to list what this as times have changed since we were younger (I was 16 in 1990 and it was all about playing football at school and county level). So throwing down the gauntlet - other than a skate park - what else ?
Reply ID 15764
I think the lack of reply says it all really Imagination is a thing of the past
Reply ID 15778
quote:So is community and the associated responsibilities of that community in which we all live: chavs, greebos, hoegarden/chardonnay drinkers, blue rinse brigade. Whilst the world runs scared of 'packs' of teenagers lolling about the streets or wherever bored whitless there is no progress. Whilst teenagers run in separate 'packs' identified by their clothing or trainers they fragment and isolate themselves further. The solution? [?][?] As with most problems that 'we' moan about, would involve communication, cooperation and endurance from all members of the community, young and old, as well as the inevitable financing requirements. The only common factor that teenagers have is exactly that: they are teenagers. It cannot be concluded that they all want the same things and therefore there is no 'one-solution-fits-all'.
Imagination is a thing of the past
Reply ID 15784
quote:Why would there need to be any financing? Imagination is free, and all the previous generations didn't need any great financial input to address being bored. I don't see what has changed in the last 10 years, apart from the colossal breakdown in respect(I hate that word)and self motivation.
Originally posted by alisonquote:So is community and the associated responsibilities of that community in which we all live: chavs, greebos, hoegarden/chardonnay drinkers, blue rinse brigade. Whilst the world runs scared of 'packs' of teenagers lolling about the streets or wherever bored whitless there is no progress. Whilst teenagers run in separate 'packs' identified by their clothing or trainers they fragment and isolate themselves further. The solution? [?][?] As with most problems that 'we' moan about, would involve communication, cooperation and endurance from all members of the community, young and old, as well as the inevitable financing requirements. The only common factor that teenagers have is exactly that: they are teenagers. It cannot be concluded that they all want the same things and therefore there is no 'one-solution-fits-all'.
Imagination is a thing of the past
Reply ID 15792
The thing which i feel has changed is a sense of community (sorry to keep harping on). I think this has contributed to the sense of alienation of certain sectors/age groups and the lack of respect which, to be fair, goes in both direcions of the age scale. Imagination is free but is bound by red-tape & regulations which also exist now. I would imagine a number of youth clubs or drop in centres would spring up tomorrow if there didn't have to be risk assesments, health & safety files, police checks, funding etc. involved.
Reply ID 15822
With the Corn Exchange soon to be unavailable, the fourtnightly disco's won't happen, but will get moved to Ware. How many teenagers are going to want to, or can get to Ware ?.
Reply ID 15828
quote:Why will the Corn Exchange be unavailable?
Originally posted by spitfire
With the Corn Exchange soon to be unavailable, the fourtnightly disco's won't happen, but will get moved to Ware. How many teenagers are going to want to, or can get to Ware ?.
Reply ID 15831
From today's Mercury [url="http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/news/mercury/hertfordshire_mercury/2006/01/27/town%20council%20votes%20to%20ditch%20corn%20exchange.lpf"]Town council votes to ditch Corn Exchange[/url]
Reply ID 15833
quote:Interesting on many levels; that the disco may be moving to Ware, reducing a teen activity, and that the decision on the Exchange enables "redevelopment". Of what kind? With Grade 2 listing and no parking it would be costly and challenging to convert to flats <ponders>. Would make quite a good bar though, great ceiling height and a striking exterior. (edited for chronic spelling!)
Originally posted by Steve
From today's Mercury [url="http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/news/mercury/hertfordshire_mercury/2006/01/27/town%20council%20votes%20to%20ditch%20corn%20exchange.lpf"]Town council votes to ditch Corn Exchange[/url]
Reply ID 15835
Maybe it could be turned into a non accoholic 'bar' for teenagers? But alas, it will probably end up being a coffee shop/estate agent/charity shop/executive apartments in any combo!
Reply ID 15836
quote:Unfortunately, teenagers don't have "disposable" income (ie: what's left after bill paying and before the overdraft kicks in) and won't spend as much. Regrettably, it's not commercially viable.
Originally posted by alison
Maybe it could be turned into a non accoholic 'bar' for teenagers? But alas, it will probably end up being a coffee shop/estate agent/charity shop/executive apartments in any combo!
Reply ID 15857
quote:I hear what you are saying...but I grew up in Hertford in the 80s. There was nothing more to do then. No community feeling. One youth club (I didn't go to it). No drop in centres. 100 less TV channels and no playstation. So my imagination, and friendships with my mates was not held back by any red tape. In fact, we had less going for us than the current youth (god I sound like my dad! [:)]) I can't see anything that has changed, other than attitude and a "free lunch" mentality. So I fail to see what we should be doing for todays youth, other than re-educating them into understanding respect and work ethic. Time and time again on these thread, people ask the youth directly, "what do you want in the town" and time and time again, they never come up with an answer. Its all moan and no immagination.....god, my dad would be proud! [:)]
Originally posted by alison
The thing which i feel has changed is a sense of community (sorry to keep harping on). I think this has contributed to the sense of alienation of certain sectors/age groups and the lack of respect which, to be fair, goes in both direcions of the age scale. Imagination is free but is bound by red-tape & regulations which also exist now. I would imagine a number of youth clubs or drop in centres would spring up tomorrow if there didn't have to be risk assesments, health & safety files, police checks, funding etc. involved.
Reply ID 15859
It's so easy to say "back in my day..." and come up with a huge nostalgia trip. But at the end of the day there IS a problem with the kids of a today. Telling them to make a go-kart or go paddling in the Beane won't cure the problem. I'm certainly not going to try to come with a simple solution as I doubt that there is one. As adults, we are in a better position to influence things. Sitting at a PC and typing such comments may vent your spleen but does very little to address the problem. If the problem of teenagers' behaviour is affecting you that badly, then do something about it. It may be the kids' problem but it's also yours. If your neighbour decides to extend his garden into yours, you can moan all you like but it will get you nowhere. It's easy to argue that your neighbour is on the wrong but the problem is also yours beacuse it is affecting your life.
Reply ID 16060
John, I think most of us agree with you, but your view is simply a venting of spleen too. You have stated there IS a problem, but you have not offered any solutions. Its very easy for you to say "do something about it". So how should I stop local vandals? Beat them up? Run them over? I don't believe a distraction of a skatepark will do the trick. In fact, I think it will become a focal point for more trouble. The problem is basic education. Not creating distractions. Even the kids that have come on here seem to be able to offer no ideas as to what they would want. I've certainly found that offline too.