WITH clubs and societies ranging from short mat bowls to music hall, the village of Coaley still retains an air of old-fashioned community spirit.

But until recently younger people had nothing they could call their own.

Villager and youth leader Fran Paul said: "There was absolutely nothing for the younger people in the village. The only youth club we had shut down four years ago."

So last September Mrs Paul decided to redress the balance and set up a club "with young people, for young people".

She stated: "It was essential the youngsters were part of the setting up process. We wanted them to realise this is their club."

The club - called the Coaley Crew - is attended by ten-to-17 year-olds and despite a dire lack of equipment it has proved a big hit.

"We've got 35 members on our books and have an average of 20 members turning up every week. The main success story is the fact they recognise the club as theirs," explained Mrs Paul.

But the club has not always been trouble-free. Mrs Paul admitted that in the beginning the members saw the club's tuck shop as a good thieving opportunity.

"They looked at the tuck shop and said 'We could nick that', but they quickly understood that all they would be doing is taking funds from their club."

Mrs Paul also had to deal with youngsters climbing on the roof of the hall - "We explained to them that behaviour like that could close the club and we've never had any trouble since."

A strong belief in encouraging youngsters to be individuals lies at the heart of Mrs Paul's ideas.

She said: "Kids should be taught to have a voice and use it. We've got youngsters on our club committee and we want them to be on other committees in the village. It's about making them really feel like they're a part of the community."

The club meets in the village hall every Friday evening and tries to organise a wide range of activities and demonstrations, as well as using their own facilities - an old table tennis table and pool table.

"We don't have much," admitted Mrs Paul. "But we're organising fund-raising events so we can start to improve on what we've got."

In typical style the club has involved everyone in their quest to raise funds.

"We went around the room and heard everyone's ideas. Whatever we do will have come from the members," said Mrs Paul.

Future hopes for the club include raising enough money for a minibus so the youngsters can go on trips.

Fund-raising will be a vital part of the future success of the club but for Mrs Paul the inclusion of youngsters in the community is just as important.

Even the name of the club has a significance in the community.

Mrs Paul explained: "I've got two grown-up children who used to hang out at the village bus shelter with other children form the village. They became known as the Coaley Crew."

Anyone willing to help with the Coaley Crew by volunteering or assisting with fund-raising can contact Fran Paul on 01453 890952.

Pictured: Young Gloucestershire Youth Development Team member Nikki Moran shows Lauren Martin, 13, the art of plate-spinning GJA89V03