Firsts and Lasts...

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We’re in transition at the moment at YTYT.  July is always like that…this means that we’re experiencing lots of firsts and lasts. It makes everything feel a little like we’re on a rollercoaster as there is so much to be proud of, so many achievements to reflect on with a sense of fulfilment but there is also the shadow of loss clouding the landscape…

In terms of the firsts…over the last couple of weeks we have had a number of new starters and people moving into new companies, which is always lovely to see. We’ve also had people experiencing aspects of Yew Tree for the first time – Hannah, Lottie and Holly came to Sapphire in September last year so they’d no idea about how we had created our Aladdin script.  This year they’ve been able to enjoy and contribute to the process of devising and writing that goes into producing the Sapphire Company Christmas show.  A process Lottie has guest blogged about this week in yes, you guessed it, her first YTYT blog.  Other firsts include Sam experiencing Gold Company, Bobbie and Beth’s first Nostell and Amy’s as a performer and a whole load of YTYT signing up to Connections for the first time.  These are just a few of many.  Also at Gold Company, I met Henry for the first time and (because I only play it once a year) many people experienced Ratchet Screwdriver for the first time…terrifying game that it is…

Then we come to the lasts, which are inevitably more sobering I finally kicked Jack out of Gold Company as he’s too old, thank goodness we have a Black Company for him to stay in.  Katie and Holly have done their last sessions and James volunteered at his last Sapphire session before University beckons and other YTYT members will be heading that way in September.  There is, in addition, one last that needs a special mention as it features a precious element of YTYT. On Monday Danny assisted at his last Sapphire session after 6 years of service and on Saturday he switched the lights off after Gold Company as he exited the building for the last time after 10 years of spending his Saturday mornings there – first as a participant, then as an assistant.  Danny’s contribution to YTYT has been both outstanding and significant and his legacy to the company, the hundreds of young people he has inspired and nurtured and the artists he has worked alongside is vast and unforgettable.

The only silver lining in the cloud of departures is that Nathan, Ed, Helen, Hannah and Alice are taking part in Nostell this year, Ash and Natalie turned up to Black for a visit and I got a text from Jamie saying he was around this week and would call in at Nostell.  All of these people graduated from YTYT some time ago to start the next chapter f their lives and I’m thankful and delighted that people come back every now and again…it makes the parting more sweet than the utterly sorrowful thing it might be…

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