It is often said that from acorns, great oak trees grow. Similarly, with questions – the simplest ones on being answered actually can take us further and faster rather than the more complex ones that we think will. I was reminded of this at our last Yore Vision meeting at Boroughbridge High School, when young people of the Lower Ure Valley communities presented their findings on life as a teenager in the early 21st century in Boroughbridge. Some of us in the audience were dreading the inevitable question of “When can we have our own dedicated youth facilities like they have in other towns?” – but actually the question that was asked – and stumped us - was “Can you find us some football coaches to help us set up some U-15 teams for both boys and girls?”

This particular question came almost at the end of a great 45 minute presentation by our young colleagues on what frustrated them about life in “Boza” – which to the uninitiated is what 14 year olds call Boroughbridge- and how they thought things could be improved. Assisted by outside experts from ArtiMedia, CIDA and MBED who work in the public arts sector and facilitate groups and communities in fulfilling their aspirations, the young people had put together, in their own time, - since the Easter holidays no less - a superb portfolio of podcasts, interviews and a trial local radio station – BBFM – to demonstrate their creative talents to the Yore Vision team. We came away very impressed by the confidence, the ingenuity and the resourcefulness of the teenagers – which is sometimes the opposite impression people form of this particular group when they congregate outside the Spar in Boroughbridge of an evening!

What was particularly impressive was that, as part of the project, the team had set up their own website, assisted by ArtiMedia and CIDA- my thanks to Brian Sharp and Lucy Barker in particular, along with their technical team. The site is called www.itownmytown.co.uk.  and the Boroughbridge Town Team is one of only 4 in the entire Yorkshire and Humber region to have this facility-  funded by Yorkshire Forward in partnership with CIDA- now isn’t that something to shout about! Anyone can access it – all ages, not just young people – and you can leave a message or take part in the Forum online. It is early days but we are determined that Yore Vision will respond to the youngsters and put in place sustainable solutions to the frustrations they feel about life in a market town. So, the question is –“Are there any coaches or potential coaches who would like to get involved in developing our U-15’s football skills?” England may be out of the 2006 World Cup but I suspect that in the “itown/mytown” team, there is a budding Wayne -or Waynetta – Rooney. If you are that person or know of anyone who would be prepared to give up some of his or her spare time to help, please let me know.

On another note, feasibility studies will commence shortly on some of our other projects, which will help determine the shape and substance of these initiatives, -on the proposed Centre For Rural Enterprise and on some of the findings on the enhancements to St James’s Square and to the streetscape generally in Boroughbridge –or Boza – depending on your age group!

Between now and then, I will be joining with colleagues from across the region at the Great Yorkshire show in Harrogate to share best practice, discuss progress and frustrations – of which I am sure there are plenty. Yore Vision have been chosen to speak on our journey so far – early days and we are still on some A and B - roads but soon the motorway beckons, I am sure. I’ll update you in my next column.