Community Newsletter
Susan van de Ven
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bassingbourn, Litlington, Melbourn, Meldreth and Whaddon Learn more
Community Newsletter
Community Newsletter
Ivy Farm Bridge Progress
Visit to Melbourn Village College Citizenship Class
by Susan van de Ven on 23 January, 2019
I was lucky enough to visit Melbourn Village College’s Citizenship class today – a treat.
Vibrant and thoughtful students almost all in favour of bringing the voting age down to 16: ‘In a few years we’ll be living with the consequences of decisions taken now.’
A small handful against – ‘At 18, I’ll be more independent minded and not so likely to take the same views as my parents.’
Where do they get their news? BBC Radio at breakfast time or in the car, BBC app, Guardian app, listening to their parents. No social media for news. Do you trust social media? NO!
Turned out these students were only 11-12 years old; I’d had them pegged as closer to 16, judging from their discussions about what drives people to criminality, should 97-year-old Dukes who don’t use seatbelts be allowed to drive, key dangers of No-Deal Brexit (hard border in Ireland), Trump and the Wall.
Most comments on local issues were around enthusiasm for the A10 cycle network and the need to extend it – spurs from Shepreth to Barrington and Melbourn to Fowlmere would fill gaps and make them more independent.
Looking forward to another visit next month.
Leave a Reply