As a part of the Forum, this week I’m going to be sharing a bit more about myself – almost like a ‘week in the life of’. Those at the Forum will know that I love a good rant, so what better way to start this week than a little complaint!

Today’s rant is about bus drivers; I know they have to stick to a tight schedule, so pulling off before I have found a seat is sometimes necessary. However, what is NOT necessary is to wait until I am halfway up the stairs to do this and then slam the brakes on so fiercely I go flying flat onto my face. Especially as the upper deck was surprisingly full, and all saw me trying to haul myself up off the floor like some giant slug.

Could you be in the Spotlight this year at the Youth Forum’s Performance Event “Emerge”? Are you between the ages of 11 and 21? Could you perform an act involving singing, theatre, magic, acoustic music, dance, circus or any other kind of variety act? Could you wow the audience with your talent? Go onto the Youth Forum website at www.forestyouthforum.org.uk for more details and to and fill out an entry form. Can’t wait to see you there!

The Youth Forum sat down last week to another difficult session of allocating funds. We had applications from 13 groups, and we were over-subscribed by more than twice the amount we had to allocate. We made our decisions and it was really tough. We funded Gloucestershire Young Carers, Newent Chillout Zone, Sedbury Youth Club, FoD Scouts, CANDI Music and Dance, Newent Youth Club, Lydney Youth Cafe, and Newent Young Carers. We have some more decisions to make later down the line. We really hope that the projects undertaken by the groups we funded are great fun for all involved, and support the community by supporting our Young People!

 What a hilarious and super-silly evening. Well done Youth Forum for all your hard work in 2011!

Trash Fashion 2011 was a blinding success! Winning prizes of tickets to Clothes Show Live at Birmingham NEC were awarded to CANDI- whose team depicted bonkers outfits from Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga and more….

Second prize went to GYSS for their brilliant outfits which included an umbrella made entirely from recycled materials. Newent Community School’s team modelled extremely professionally and wore some incredible shoes made from cola cans, and a jacket made of cardboard.  Heywood School’s team used scented nappy bags to create dazzling outfits which were beautifully finished and very professional. Well done to all involved- the standard was extremely high!

£58.76 was raised for Children in Need and many cans of Vimto were guzzled and packets of Wotsits nibbled……overall- a truly brilliant night. Many thanks to members of the Forum for helping organise the classic and well- loved event, which so clearly demonstrates the talent of young people in the Forest of Dean!

Trash Fashion is in just 3 days! Come along to Lakers School for 7pm and enjoy a stunning mixture of Catwalk Performances, Music, Theatre and Dance- exhibiting the amazing talent of the young people of the Forest of Dean! All proceeds go to Children in Need. See you there!

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The Forest of Dean Youth Awards ceremony took place on Friday 21st October. There were 40 nominees, some of whom went on to be awarded bronze, silver and gold awards for their volunteering in the community. It was a fantastic event, with a high-impact dance performance from CANDI Dance, a fabulously entertaining 3-part circus display from Emerge Youth Circus, and a spectacular vocal performance from local rising star- Ellie Higgs. The audience of supporters were left stunned by the commitment and dedication of our local young people. We are very proud to have such amazing young people here in the Forest of Dean!