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Snooker legend Steve Davis in Whalley
SNOOKER legend Steve Davis was in Whalley to launch a new initiative aimed at local youngsters.
The six-time world champion was there at the invitation of snooker coach Chris Lovell, who lives in the village and has devised a six-week programme of free snooker coaching sessions.
"It's not just about free snooker, it's about giving young people something to do on a Friday night," said Chris, North Lancs Training Group's World Snooker Coach. He also heads up the Paul Hunter Foundation, founded in memory of the young Leeds-based player who died from cancer.
The new coaching initiative is being launched by the Paul Hunter Foundation and Lancashire Constabulary, funded by Lancashire County Council's Young Peoples Service, and starts on Friday, November 20th.
"It all came about from a charity snooker event we held through the company I work for, North Lancs Training Group," said Chris. "Jim Harkness, our managing director, backed the idea some years ago and in 2005 we met Paul Hunter, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Jim invited Paul back and he returned the following year in 2006, but sadly he passed away later in October.
"Jim then backed my role as a World Snooker Grade A Coach, of which there are only 25 in the world, and we developed the concept for the Snooker Youth Club in Accrington.
"Twice a week we currently have approaching 100 youngsters attending and this has seen a 63% reduction in first time entrants into the criminal justice system. It's a real team effort with lots of people and organisations pulling together, with our common aim – to provide activities for young people."
The venue for the Whalley coaching sessions is to be confirmed, but it is planned to run them on Fridays from 6-30 p.m. to 8-30 p.m. It is also hoped to run a "taster" event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 14th, at a venue to be confirmed.
"We've found it's great for both boys and girls and it becomes more of a meeting than a snooker event, hence the name Snooker Youth Club," said Chris. "We were very lucky to have Steve Davis at the launch to pass on his snooker tips to the young people."
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Weather for Clitheroe
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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