Councillor John Stone, Herefordshire Council’s chairman, and Councillor Brian Wilcox, ward member, both supported a special event at the weekend, aimed at encouraging young people to have closer links with their local community.
The Noise, organised under the banner of HOPE 08, was held at the open space in College Green, Hereford and aimed to show younger people how they can make a positive difference in their communities.
Hope City Church and Christian Life Church, aims to encourage young people to develop better self esteem, self confidence and social skills.
On the Saturday, the young people were split up into teams to carry out a number of projects including painting play areas, litter picking, redecorating, landscape gardening and putting dog litter bins on site.
The young people met up with Councillor Stone and Councillor Wilcox while carrying out the projects.
On the Sunday, there was a traditional village fete opened by Hereford City Council’s deputy mayor Councillor Mrs Sylvia Daniels followed by the young people taking part in a variety of team games.
Councillor John Stone said: “It was wonderful to have this opportunity to meet so many young people. These youngsters are the county’s future and I hope they now understand their views are important to us as councillors and they have an important role in making the county a better place for them to grow up in.”
Councillor Brian Wilcox added: “As the ward councillor, it was good for me to meet so many of my young constituents and I hope they will become more involved with their local communities and get their views heard about how they want to see the city develop.”