TWO reports in this week’s edition underline the importance of providing young people with meaningful activities or places to meet. Firstly, Thirsk’s acclaimed and highly valued youth project, The Clock, is set to complete its controversial move to a new home in a residential area away from the town centre where it used to be.

Secondly, a man from the same town is convicted of supplying alcohol to a 15-year-old girl.

Hopefully, the first item will avoid a repetition of the second.

Organisations like Thirsk Clock are vital in providing the diversion that young people need to avoid mischief falling into idle hands. It is a issue faced and tackled, in differing ways, by many small towns, including Barnard Castle and Richmond.

Many eyes will be on Thirsk’s St James’ Green, to see if the trouble the residents fear materialises. There is a great deal at stake and we trust all parties, including the young people who have their facility back after a short period without, will do what they can to make the arrangements work.

The reputations of a number of people, and the well-being of many in the town – young and old – are riding on the relocated Thirsk Clock being a success.