'Don’t drive us out of town', Teesdale Mercury

Young people in Teesdale have made an impassioned defence of the contribution they make to the community. 

And they have claimed a “growing discontent” about young people is leading to many “leaving the area and not returning”.

The student body at the Teesdale School, the school council, wrote to the Mercury in response to Barnard Castle Town Council’s call for a ‘street care summit’ to tackle what they regard as a major decline in standards in the town.

As the Mercury reported, councillors said they wanted to “restore civic pride in the town”, where litter and vandalism had become a “grave concern to residents”.

But students said the town council seemed to “indicate that the younger people of the area are somewhat of a stumbling block to the town achieving its potential”.

The students added: “It is clear that to some extent young people are responsible for some of the town’s anti-social behaviour problems, however, they are not necessarily the worst offenders.”

“This follows the growing trend of growing discontent about the young people in the town, which is resulting in many leaving the area and not returning, which is contributing to an ever ageing population.”

The row began after Cllr John Watson told a town council meeting that it is necessary to “get young people on board because there is no doubt that the fast-food throw-away culture is a part of the problem”.

The school council said: “Younger members of the community are often easy targets for criticism but don’t always receive the recognition they deserve. “The views of young people should be taken into greater account in respect of their often unsung contribution to the town.”

The school council said young people “contribute greatly” to the town, and support campaigns to 

improve the image of the area.

“The school also partakes in a number of activities in the wider community with the impetus coming from the students themselves,” they said.

Earlier this month, the town council voted to hold a ‘street care summit’ inviting police, council officials, headteachers, youth organisations and other agencies to attend. 

It is hoped a street care partnership can then be created to improve standards in the town.

The student body has also put forward some suggestions of its own to help tackle some of the town’s problems. They said more effective street lighting would deter people from urinating in public; that more severe penalties could help combat dog mess and chewing gum problems; that better maintenance of facilities would make them less likely targets of vandalism.

Paul Harrison, headteacher of Teesdale School, said he agreed “absolutely” with what his students had to say. “I think they are quite aggrieved that young people are all tarred with the same brush,” he said.

“It is grossly unfair that all young people are stereotyped because the young people we have here do a lot of good work, not just in the school, but in the community.

“Young people are maligned and it is completely out of proportion. Every town and city have a small minority that cause problems, but the overwhelming majority of young people are very nice and caring and have an awful lot to offer.” 

Town clerk Geoff Bosworth said the council recognises that young people contribute “a great deal” to the community.

“Young people are a very important part of the community and the council recognises that they contribute positively,” he said. “It is certainly not the general view of the council that problems are caused by school children. The Mayor particularly is very positive about the youth of the town.”

He said the council also recognises there are problems on the streets of Barnard Castle, and wants to work positively together with others to improve the situation. 

l See letters, page four.