Young Mayor 2005-2006 in the Press
AS THE nation becomes gripped by World Cup fever, a junior politician is hoping to get more young people into rugby.
Lewisham Young Mayor Wilf Petherbridge is planning to organise a rugby tournament for youngsters this summer.
The competition is part of the mayor's manifesto of five pledges, which was published earlier this month.
Wilf, 15, hopes the rugby tournament will open the sport up to a wider audience.
He said: "Rugby is seen by a lot of people as a white, middle-class sport.
"I think it would be great to get more kids from different backgrounds into it."
The tournament is due to take place in the summer although no date or venue has yet been decided.
Each year the Young Mayor gets £25,000 to spend on five pledges to improve the lives of young people in the borough.
From the News Shopper - http://www.newsshopper.co.uk
Singers head South to find stardom
MUSICAL hopefuls have taken to the stage in a bid to become the borough's very own Pop Idol.
Around 60 singers and musicians took part in a re-creation of the hit TV show at the Dirty South bar in Lee High Road, Lee.
Deputy young mayor Dami Benbow took on the role of Simon Cowell by heading a panel of judges giving verdicts on the performances.
The auditions were the first phase of a process which will eventually see 20 youngsters chosen to perform at the Lewisham People's Day festival in July.
The performers will show off their talents on Young Mayor Wilf Petherbridge's stage at the event.
Wilf, 15, said: "It is great to give some of the talent we have in the borough the chance to shine."
From the News Shopper - http://www.newsshopper.co.uk
Make Mine Music at Lewisham's Childcare fair
What was it that attracted almost 600 visitors to Lewisham’s tenth childcare jobs and training fair on 15 November? Was it the music provided by DJ Gallis at this major event that was tightly packed into two large floors of the Town Hall Civic Suite in Catford? Perhaps it was the support offered by Lewisham’s first female Young Mayor, Siobhan Bell, who chose to open the fair as her first official function?
Siobhan scored a real hit with her short, enthusiastic speech launching the day and her considerably longer tour of the 34 stands, talking to exhibitors and visitors alike. Upstairs, Siobhan and Karen Faux from sponsor, Nursery World, visited all 15 stands designed and staffed by Lewisham childcare employers in order to judge the winner of the best stand award. They had to fight for room, as visitors milled around, attracted not just by the eye-catching displays, but the 50 or more jobs advertised on the day.
The winner of the prize, which was a year’s subscription to Nursery World, toys to the value of £50 and a photo in the childcare publication, was Little Learners. According to the Young Mayor, “They came across as welcoming and see themselves as one big family.” This is not surprising as owner/proprietor Miranda Charles was supported on the day by two of her sisters, Marsha, who is interim deputy manager, and their younger sister Melissa who lends a professional hand when home from university.
Downstairs, where visitors could get advice about training, benefits packages and volunteering, as well as opportunities in childcare, the youth service and fostering, there was a real buzz in the air, thanks to DJ Gallis and his music. The 21-year-old DJ, also known as Darren Brown, works as a family support worker, and agreed with Siobhan that childcare offered opportunities for all ages from young trainees to parents returning to the workplace.
For more information about the options a childcare career can offer, ring Lewisham Children’s Information Service on 0800 085 0606.