WOODFORD GREEN: Teenagers on estate to benefit from sport sessions (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Orchard Estate sports sessions will be funded by Area Two Council grant

5:17pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Redbridge News By Dominic Sutton

WOODFORD GREEN: Teenagers on estate to benefit from sport sessions

TEENAGERS living on a local estate will continue to benefit from weekly sports sessions after councillors agreed to provide funding for the coming year.

The Residents Association on the Orchard Estate on Broadmead Road, Woodford Green, run regular football, basketball, tennis and boxing classes for 12-19-year-olds living on or near the estate.

Organisers say that anti social behaviour on the estate has decreased since the introduction of the sessions which are held at Woodbridge High School and have the support of local police.

At a meeting of the Area Two Committee last night (January 31), councillors agreed to contribute £3,000 towards the project with the Residents Association providing an additional £500.

Speaking in support of the application, Roding Ward Cllr Gwyneth Deakins said: “This initiative is supported by the local police Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

“In view of the events which took place in London last year, it is extremely important that we support activities like this.”

Councillors agreed to provide the grant subject to appropriate safeguards being placed on the funds.

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