Youth leader: Colwyn Bay hoodies get a bad repuation

Mar 4 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Youth leader Colwyn Bay hoodies get a bad repuation

A YOUTH leader has praised talented teenagers in Colwyn Bay and says she is sick of kids wearing hoodies getting a bad rap.

Volunteer, Chris Sayle is the coordinator of the Colwyn Youth Committee and organises music, dance and art events for children aged 11-17-years-old.

The committee is planning a big summer show at Theatr Colwyn on Abergele Road where children will show off their dancing and rapping skills, while young bands will also perform.

Many of the 60 children on the committee already perform with professional dance groups and acclaimed performers such as MD Productions who competed in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

But despite their good work and hours spent practising, Chris, 51, who is appealing for help with the summer show, says the youngsters get a bad reception just because they wear hoodies.

“The girls come to dance group wearing hoodies and the boys come and stand outside waiting to pick them up. I stand outside with them and they tell me if I wasn’t with them they get stopped by the police,” she said.

“I’m sick of people having a go at them, I do so much with them and I see what they are like. They are so talented, there is nothing for them to do, people should be praising them.

“Twenty of them dance in a massive big show in Liverpool, nobody seems to be bothered, but if people say ‘well done’ it would give them a bit of pride.”

Now ahead of the summer show, Chris is appealing for financial help and more volunteers so the show can succeed in raising funds to boost the youth committee’s finances.

“The kids might be doing it at college but it would be fantastic to have someone mentoring them,” he said.

“We want to make the show a community event, we want as many people as possible involved!”

The dance classes meet on Monday and Thursday evenings at Ysgol Tan-y-Marian in Llysfaen and Tuesdays with MD Productions at St Paul’s Church on Abergele Road in Colwyn Bay between 5pm and 7pm.

The Colwyn Bay Youth Committee meet every Wednesday at the Red Cross Centre in Old Colwyn or at Speakers Cafe on Penrhyn Road in Colwyn Bay.

Contact Chris Sayle on 07962 967 616, or email saylec@gmail.com

richard.evans