A new skate lounge opened at The Pioneer Club, has been named after a long-standing volunteer at the charity.

Wendy Thomas worked as the senior youth and community leader at The Pioneer Club for a 10 year period in the 1990s.

On Saturday, Janaury 11, the trustees welcomed the city’s mayor, Annie Brewster, and councillors, friends and former members of the charity to the official opening of the new Wendy Thomas Skate Lounge.

The new lounge was paid for from both charity reserves and local funding and offers a space for youths to take a well-earned rest from their skating activities.

Ann Brooks, chairman of the Pioneer Club based in Heathlands Drive, St Albans, said: "Wendy Thomas has arguably done more for our 72 year old charity than any other individual and we wanted to honour her work by naming our new Skate Lounge after her."

Before unveiling the plaque in the Wendy Thomas Skate Lounge, the city’s mayor said: "I have only met Wendy for the first time today but I instantly understand why she was instrumental in getting the original skate park built in the mid-80s.

"She has the qualities, acute resourcefulness and decisive drive, to hear what young people want and then find a way to make it happen.

"The new lounge is stunning and complements perfectly the state-of-the-art refurbished indoor skate park that has doubled its attendees since it opened last month. Congratulations to everyone involved in supporting this magnificent club."