WHAT it is to be young is the theme of a mural at A-Zone youth club, in Minehead. The colourful mural, with symbols of youth within a giant TV screen, is the first project to be carried out at the Vennland Cente club, run by the county council youth services, since it opened two months ago. Artist in residence Rick Ellam directed the project and some 20 to 30 youngsters, aged 11 to 16, took part. "They wanted to do something different from the usual graffiti-style mural and came up with this very imaginative idea. "All sorts of things that mean something to young people are in there - and it's very colourful," said A-zone leader Paul Matcham. A-Zone's newest project is dancing - the youngsters have been learning and practising a variety of steps such as line and African dancing for a community performance on the beach at the end of July. Other youngsters are invited to join in the dance sessions from 6.30pm on Tuesdays. They would also be welcome at club sessions on Mondays from 7pm to 9pm: "Anyone can come along - the more the merrier," said Paul. Pictured from the left are, at the back, Kerry Jackson, Chloe Moles, Livvy Cane and Rick. In the centre is Rick Ellam junior and in front are Emma Chapman, Jodie Thresher and Sam Wilkins-Hill. Photo: Steve Guscott.
