Dunstable’s ‘Summer Star Spectacular’, held in August, was a fantastic Community Games event. Organised in part by young members of the local Youth Parliament, it enabled young people from the Dunstable and Houghton Regis areas to come together for a fun-filled two days.
It all kicked off with an exciting opening ceremony for volunteers and staff led by Dunstable Mayor John Chatterley. The event was then split into four sessions: ‘Cultural Arts and Crafts’, ‘Competitive Sport’, ‘How to be a DJ’ and ‘Family Fun and Games’. The young attendees got stuck into all sorts of activities, from making graffiti t-shirts to learning how to set up DJ decks. Fun was had by all, and organisers reported that the arts and crafts and competitive sports were especially popular.
Alongside these sessions, a ‘Dunstable’s Got Talent’ competition was held. The prize was a place in the final of a huge Bedfordshire talent competition set-up by consultancy group Top Dog. Congratulations go to all the extremely talented young people who entered the competition, but especially to the amazing Nathan who went on to prove that Dunstable really does have talent at the Bedfordshire final in October!
Perhaps the best thing about ‘Summer Star Spectacular’, though, was that young people not only enjoyed participating in the event, but also proudly helped to organise it. Charlotte – a Youth Parliament member who attends Manshead Secondary School – said that it had been great to “use my spare time to help the community”.
Well done to all the members of the Youth Parliament who helped to make this Community Games a success, as well as to 4YP for running a community fundraising project to support the event.