DURING the school holidays in the early Eighties, when I was a teenager about the same age as tragic Isobel JonesReilly (Mail), I belonged to a youth club run by a former copper known as Des. The rules were: no smoking, no alcohol and no misbehaviour. Des's main aim was to get kids playing together on the pool, snooker and table-tennis tables and pinball machines as well as socialising around the coffee bar (where tea and orange squash were served) in the YMCA lounge in the community hall where the club was run.
There was always a very friendly atmosphere, with Des ever-present, keeping an eye on things and getting discussions going, drawing in shy teenagers -- and giving people like me some openings to get to know some of the gorgeous girls who belonged to the club.
I was reminded of Des when I read about unfortunate 15-year-old Issy, who belonged to at least seven 'social networking' internet sites and thought life was about alcohol, drugs and idolising gangster rappers.
I accept that our society has lost the plot with regard to how kids are brought up -- but where are the Deses of this world, able to be a wise friend and a solid, grounding influence to typical teenagers while still being firmly in charge and commanding their respect? Without corrupting influences, I believe girls like Issy would have adored our club and its characters, and the sense of belonging and being popular. Without adults like Des in their lives, I see kids floating off to a different kind of existence, which I call 'life on planet bonkers'.
THURSTON BADGER, Eastbourne, Sussex.
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Trouble-free: Thurston Badger attended a youth club
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