Were You A Teenager In Bletchley?

Whether you were into Nirvana and grunge, disco music and flares, addicted to watching Neighbours, or drove your parents crazy playing Vanilla Ice’s Ice Ice Baby over and over, if you were a teenager in the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s and remember painting your name on one of the walls at Bletchley Youth Centre, Milton Keynes Youth Service would love you to get in touch.

Currently undergoing a major 6 month refurbishment, Bletchley Youth Centre is set to be transformed from its rather tired looking former self to an aspirational and inviting space for young people to enjoy spending time in, including being fully accessible for young people with disabilities.   Refurbishments include a brand new staircase and lift, a new kitchen and chillout area, and a complete overhaul of the floor layout, turning the previously awkward space into rooms which can be used by young people and other community groups for activities and games, including accessing the internet. The Youth Centre is due to reopen in September this year.

 

Builders working in Bletchley Youth Centre uncovered the graffiti on the wall, estimated to have been done at least 15, possibly over 30 years ago.  Whilst generally graffiti is seen as anti-social, it is thought that this would have been a dedicated wall at the youth centre for the young people to make their mark and is a fascinating window on history.

 

Rob Ward, Youth Service Officer at Milton Keynes Council said, “We’re intrigued to know what happened to those teenagers, now likely to be at least in their 30s, and would love to know what their memories of the youth centre are.  We’d also like to welcome them to a tour around the revamped youth club when it reopens this Autumn.  Everyone involved with the centre is excited by progress with the refurbishment, particularly as the new leisure space will enable youth workers to work with local community groups who will also be able to run their sessions here.”