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Youngsters showcase talents at Beacon Centre
Teenagers showed off talents ranging from legalised graffiti to skateboarding on stage at The Beacon Centre in Beaconsfield.
Around 200 young people from across Bucks took part in the event which was clearly a new experience for many in the audience, which county and district councillors as well as parents and well wishers.
A lively evening in which the audience whooped and cheered, and which ended with a slick street dance presentation, it was designed to celebrate the achievements of teenagers who have learned new skills at projects funded by Bucks County Council.
Positive Activities for Young People aims of channeling people's energies into activities that are constructive and creative.
Some spoke movingly of how they had been in trouble with the police for stealing or fighting before joining the projects which had boosted their confidence and improved their performance at school.
Lewis Yates, 17, and Chester Righton, 14, (pictured) from Iver, had stopped their illegal graffiti activities since signing up with Artform, where they are encouraged to create legal graffiti. They have now started up a small business creating graffiti to order on bedroom walls and other spaces.
George Cornwall, a regular skateboarder at Skate Weekz which take place at The Beacon Centre car park on a portable skateboard park, gave a PowerPoint presentation. He said: "It's a great way to spend your holidays and it keeps you fit. My parents are working, I wouldn't be doing anything."
A girl who had been asked to join a project by the Youth Offending Service, said her life had changed for the better. "Before I got involved I had nothing to look forward to in life. Now I've got lots more people that understand me and who I can talk to."
The evening was compered by Peter Roberts.
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This was a wonderful evening, which proved to the cynical just what can be done to turn these youngsters around from going off the rails. It was worth every penny that Bucks CC put into it, and I sincerely hope that it continues. The Graffiti was amazing, and just proves what underlying talents these youngsters actually have. Well done to all who attended and contributed!!