Nieuwe Winterswijksche Courant, 19 October 1966
YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE THE INITIATIVE THEMSELVES
Responsible recreation in their own setting
Hans Huinink, Bert Stronks and Wim Mateman of Aalten decided to take the bull by the horns — the Twen bull, as it were. For years they had heard complaints that Aalten offered too few leisure opportunities, with many young people travelling to nearby towns such as Winterswijk and Groenlo at weekends in search of entertainment and company.
Hans, Bert and Wim — the first two students at the teacher-training college in Doetinchem and the third a sociology student — had voiced those complaints themselves. At the same time, they realised that complaining alone would not solve the problem. They discussed ideas with people of their own age and sounded out the local authorities.
The encouraging response they received from Mayor Van Veen helped persuade them to ‘do something’. As a result, Aalten is getting a ‘Twenclub ’66’, which will open this coming Saturday at café-restaurant ’t Noorden.
For the time being, the club will hold its weekly meetings at ’t Noorden, in what the organisers call ‘twen style’. It will nevertheless operate as an independent club, with its own room decorated in a modern style and adapted to the wishes of its members. The organisers themselves will take care of the interior. The announced programme looks attractive: well-known bands will regularly perform beat music as well as lighter genres such as country and Dixieland jazz. There will also be record dances, for which the organisers have obtained a state-of-the-art sound system.
Its own atmosphere
Twenclub ’66 will be a members-only club in order to maintain its own standards and atmosphere, a common arrangement for youth venues at the time. A membership card will normally guarantee admission, although the organisers reserve the right to impose certain conditions. “We aim for a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in which people can enjoy music, dancing and meeting others of their own age. Anyone who does not follow the club rules will be shown the door without ceremony,” the committee members said firmly. They were convinced that most young people — and even parents — supported their aim of providing responsible recreation at an affordable price.
“Once a week we want to get away from it all.” Our club gives young people that opportunity. Membership has been kept as inexpensive as possible, so students can take part as well. And although hiring good bands costs a great deal of money, drinks will not be made unnecessarily expensive.
The organisers are even considering adding an inexpensive snack bar and a television corner later in the year, so members need not miss their favourite Saturday-evening programmes. The committee has already received so many enthusiastic reactions that it is launching the Twenclub with great confidence. A well-known beat band will perform a completely new programme of popular hits on the opening night, which will be free for those who become members.