The History of Windmill Youth Group
How and why we got started ..

some facts you might want to know


WHEN THE WINDS BLOW WE BUILD WINDMILLS.

SOME JUST SHELTER.

In 1978 Stuart Sykes, a policeman in the Lancashire Constabulary based at Blackpool, persuaded his boss to start up a local group offering the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. From those early beginnings which offered only the “SERVICE” part of the scheme, it grew to take in all aspects of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

By the time of his retirement from the police service eleven years later,in 1989, hundreds of local youngsters had been through the Award.
Following retirement, Stuart registered locally as an independent Duke of Edinburgh volunteer. The Windmill Group was born after Stuart took out a lease on the Great Marton Windmill on the outskirts of Blackpool.

The Group helped to renovate the inside of the Windmill but the building soon became too small for the Group's all-round activities.
The Group now meets at Stanley Park every Wednesday evening at 6pm training outside, Winter and Summer, no matter what the weather.

Stuart now has a superb band of volunteers who help to steer the group to even further horizons. He was awarded an MBE for services to youth in 2002.

The aims have always been the same:

For all young people from all walks of life, to be able to achieve & enjoy reaching their full potential and be ready to face the world with confidence and every chance of success. It is not easy in the Windmill Group and some fail, but for the majority who win through, that in itself is their testimony.

All around you on this website is evidence of some of the things we do to encourage and prepare our young people for success.

YOU ARE WELCOME.