Hutton-le-Hole

2:46pm Thursday 9th November 2006

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THERE aren't many places where the major thing children dislike about their surroundings is sheep poo.

But then, Hutton-le-Hole isn't like most places.

Three years ago, a parish plan was launched to decide what improvements could be made for the residents.

In a master stroke, the plan's steering group decided to do a separate questionnaire for the 35 young people of the village, who represent 17.7 per cent of the population, and are mostly aged between eight and 12 years old.

To get a 92 per cent response to anything is quite amazing - to get that response from young people is downright miraculous.

"There was a feeling among the young people that it was nice to be asked," said parish councillor Heather Pettiford, who chaired the steering committee.

"We gave them all disposable cameras to take pictures of the village and highlight what aspects were good and bad," she explained.

They said what they liked and disliked about the village, and what they would like to change, and the village duly responded.

And as a result, in the past three years a youth shelter has been built on the playing field, as well as football posts, basketball nets and a boules court. In conjunction with the Ryedale Folk Museum, based in the village, a residents entry scheme has been introduced, allowing young people to visit more regularly, and membership to the tennis court has been made more accessible.

So impressive was their approach and work, the villagers have won a national award for their efforts.

In August, they were Highly Commended in the National Community Empowerment Awards.

Presenting the award to Coun Pettiford, Gaynor De Barr, vice-chairman of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association said: "We are really proud to see one of our smaller parish councils recognised in this way. It has worked very hard and shows what can be achieved by a parish council when it concentrates on the needs of its community."

What's more, the youngsters are impressed.

Rachel Miers said: "I like the football and basketball nets. It means that we don't have to kick footballs on the green and we don't have to use jumpers as goalposts. We have a proper football pitch. We now have somewhere to play with our friends."

Lettie and Finn Simmonds said: "It's a wide open space where we can play safely with our friends and family. There's football, basketball and boules and a shelter to sit and talk in when it's raining with friends. We love going there to play."