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Talking Point /
Talking Point - Summer |
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| Talking Point - Summer |
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Monday 2nd August 2010 |
The summer holidays are finally here...but is it heaven or hell for you?
What do you think about what's on offer for young people in North West Hampshire? Do you think there is enough to do or would you like to see more?
Maybe you've got some suggestions about new things you'd like to see here.
Tell us by leaving a comment below. |
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Comments |
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...Manuela... of Andover says: |
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01:11 on Wednesday 11th August 2010 |
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"An Andover mother has said she's just relieved her son is alive after he had a stroke at the age of just 17.
Connor Bestford, from Bere Hill Crescent, collapsed at Asda earlier this month.
Doctors at Southampton Neurological Unit had to perform major surgery to save his life - removing part of his skull because his brain was swelling.
He's now slowly improving but his Mum Karen says there's a long road ahead: "Now Connor's paralysed down the right hand side, he has quite a large amount of brain damage. I think he understands what we are saying to him, and he can talk back and the words he says are clear, but they're not always making sense.
"But fingers crossed we take each day at a time. I can burst sometimes with pride when I see sometimes how he has taken it. He is handling to so well."
The Andover College student, and former John Hanson pupil, was given a boost this weekend when the Andover Lions Club gave him a TV so he could watch the World Cup from his hospital bed.
Karen, who runs Bladez Barbers on London Street, has said she's been overwhelmed by people's support and is staying optimistic:
"I've resigned myself to the fact that Connor will probably be in a wheelchair. People tell me not to be like that and to focus on him walking, but if he walks again it's a bonus.
"If he talks properly again it's a bonus, but if he stays like he is now he's still my Connor."
Well I had the pleasure and the honour of meeting this young man last week, when I was in South Street.
His mum was pushing him, past where I was talking to some young Skate boarders...Handing out hot sausages..
I invited him to have one of the sausages and from there it was a natural progression.
I saw with my own eyes how talking to people his own age ... helped Connor, and I know that it made the skate boarders more appreciative of the gifts they already posess~ so might I put forward suggestion? why don't the youngsters with time on their hands plan a rota ... where they could sit and talk to Connor? this would help him tremendously and it would be in my humble opinion mutally beneficial for all concerned...
Either way his mum would be supported knowing others cared that much~
" |
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amandasquires of thruxton says: |
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16:34 on Monday 9th August 2010 |
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" I agree with other comments along the lines of kids need to make their own fun and activities ... but to do that with other children they need places they can meet easily and freedom to initiate activities which unfortunately they don't do often enough. My kids do not venture out much; they are afraid of being told off by some busybody for just doing kids stuff ( like climbing a tree, playing in the forest etc ) So they end up playing in the "safe" environment of a friend's garden or house. Creativity and the chance to meet different people is being stifled by not allowing children freedom to play. As a parent I'd like to see a few practical skills workshops like woodwork, bike maintenance, cookery, metalwork etc but this wouldn't be considered "fun" by my kids." |
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/: of Andover says: |
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17:53 on Thursday 5th August 2010 |
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"i think theres alot for little'uns to do. but nothing for us teenagers. we don't want to go and get our faces painted do we!? naah we need something better to do." |
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Happy parent of Andover says: |
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16:58 on Thursday 5th August 2010 |
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"The Scott Centre is a very good place for children to go whilst parents work or just to let their children have fun days out. I have been sending my children there for years and they love it." |
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Martin of Andover says: |
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10:38 on Thursday 5th August 2010 |
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"In my opinion there is far more for children to do today then there has ever been in Andover. When I grew up in the 1970's we only had the 2 screen Savoy cinema which was very expensive for us to afford to go and the sports centre; most of the time we made our own fun, making kites and go carts and climbing trees. I think there is too much emphasis on having to fill your time with something, it is ok to be bored, that is part of life and we have to deal with it and use our initiative." |
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~M~ of Andover says: |
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17:14 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 |
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"Thank you Rhiannon with your connections within the church ~ it will be a good use of your time and terrific support for Connor's mum. Furthermore if you want true,
up lifting inspiration~ to give you the push, that you will need to get people to help you, raise money and get them on board,~, cut out the picture of this little lad ~ can't run can't speak, can only drink through a straw ~ use all that youthful energy to do good ~ just like I know you all can ~ run a race ~ do a sponsored walk ~ clean out rivers~ do a whole days work for parents maybe? and get paid to do it~ but appreciate the gifts that you already possess.
Before craving for things to do, with the gifts you already own?
Does that make sense?
I will sponsor you for what ever you do, put me down as the first sponsor ok?
" |
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Rhiannon Lawton of Andover says: |
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16:13 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 |
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"M.... So what u r saying is for us Youth/Children should raise money for this Lad Connor which is a brilliant idea and plus we won't be bored! :-D. If it is that.... Then Me and others can find something to do for this Lad to help him! :-D Thats if we r aloud " |
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~manuela~ of Andover says: |
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15:15 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 |
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"May I respectfully suggest that all teenagers not just my friend Rhiannon, purchase the andover advertiser and read the story about Connor.
May I humbly and respectfully remind anyone that has the luxury of being bored ~ that to be so is indeed a luxury~ the youth of andover with all your energy should band together and get this little one his bed~ raise the money raise the profile of his condition~ you have the drive and the ambition when you want to do something so do it for Connor... oh and one more thing~ when you drink out of a straw~ remember its a life style choice for you... read the story and be grateful..if nothing else support this family Lord only knows he would love to be able to come out and play with you...~M~" |
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Teresa Bradley of The Lights says: |
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14:15 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 |
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"This week at The Lights we have 25 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years taking part in our annual "Play in a Week". Each day this week they'll turn up to rehearse and on Friday afternoon they'll be performing their very own version of "Oliver" to their friends and family. This is just one of the activities organised in the area for young children. Test Valley have once again produced a booklet called Summer Activities which is rammed full of great things for children to do to stop the boredom setting in. Copies are available throughout the town, in the Library and here at The Lights. Don't be bored - get creative!" |
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Mary B of Andover says: |
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12:25 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 |
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"When I find myself with nothing to do - I find something to do. Something constructive, useful, interesting etc. I may even go for a walk, make something, read something . . use my brain in some way. Why, therefore, is it accepted that when children/youth are bored they will immediately go out an vandalise something and it is everyone else's fault for not having organised domething for them to do? Having things constantly laid on for them means that they will never learn to amuse themselves, use their imaginations, be creative or constructive and will become boring, creatively-dead and restless adults. Only the boring are bored - being 'bored' shows a lack of initiative and imagination." |
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Rhiannon Lawton of Andover says: |
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18:09 on Monday 2nd August 2010 |
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"I think that we should see a bit more activity's going on in Andover because Children are getting bored and that will lead in to vandalism. Children just want to do different things than the same thing every day etc. And a lot of Children don't want to adventure out and just want to stay in Andover! " |
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David of Andover says: |
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11:37 on Monday 2nd August 2010 |
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"Plenty of open spaces around N.W Hants to explore. Why does there always need to be some structured programme or activity?
" |
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Add Your Comments |
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