Ferndown's digital hub

RIFFS has just become the new technological heart of Ferndown.

The Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Jean Read, visited the youth club (which already has a dedicated internet café) after it had taken delivery of media technology including the latest Apple iMac computers, HD camcorders, stills cameras and software.

Purchased using donations from Ferndown Town Council, East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council Youth Opportunity Fund, the youth club can now offer creativity like never before and has set up RIFFS Creative Club.

Cllr Jean Read said, “We are very proud of our young people here in Ferndown, and so I am very pleased that the town council has been able to help support this wonderful new project. The youngsters have such great enthusiasm and ideas, I look forward to seeing the work they create.”

When the club is fully up and running it will present its work on a dedicated website (www.ferndownweb.org.uk) for friends, family and other residents to see.

The new club will be headed by Ferndown Town Councillor Jason Lawford who is a volunteer youth worker, with support from all of the youth centre team.

The Ferndown area youth worker Alan Ball said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Ferndown. It will enable them to tell their stories, make films and eventually enter competitions. I really hope that this project will contribute to the efforts being made to promote a positive image of young people in the Ferndown area.

We are also exploring the possibility of opening a young peoples’ cinema using the projection and sound equipment we have been able to purchase as part of this project."