THE FOUNDER trustee of Kidderminster and District Youth Trust has received a special honour, 47 years after the group’s inaugural meeting.

The trust took over the running of Kidderminster and District Youth Centre, in Bromsgrove Street, Kidderminster, in January and held an induction evening for new staff last Thursday.

By coincidence, the event was 47 years to the day since the first meeting of the trust in 1966 where the idea of building the youth house was first discussed.

The young people and staff marked the double celebration by presenting founder trustee Charles Talbot with a framed copy of the inaugural minutes.

Mr Talbot told the new staff team: “I was told that in building the youth house I was building a white elephant but 47 years on with a new staff team we are still proving them wrong.”

After the meeting he said: “It was a great surprise to receive the minutes and what a lovely thought. I have read them and thought to myself ‘I cannot believe I did all that’.

“It brought it all back to me and I couldn’t help but think of all the people who were here in the beginning and who are no longer alive - we have had ups and downs along the way, mostly ups.”

Youth development officer, Mike Brooke, who found the minutes while clearing up his office, said: “Everyone wanted to recognise Charles’ dedication in developing the trust and youth house.

“His vision and determination is still having an effect today, 47 years later, in a facility used by young people seven days a week.”

The trust took over the ownership and running of the building in January, after Worcestershire County Council announced it would not renew its lease on the site beyond March 31, 2013.

The funding deal, however, only runs until March, 2015 and that has sparked fears for the service’s long-term future.