When we began to talk to local residents about our plans for the Polygon, lots of people wanted to share their memories of going to the youth club in the seventies and eighties. most of them mention Tom Fox.

Tom ran the youth services at the Polygon from 1972 until his retirement in 2007 (apart from a short move to Ironville). He told us that, when the Polygon was built as a youth centre in 1969, Derbyshire was a leader in youth services. The building was designed, not as the full enclosed shape it is now, but a curved building with an open courtyard at its centre. In 1984, a consortium of local schools and colleges were looking for a location to run a sixth form centre offering vocational courses. The Polygon was the natural choice. The curved building was extended, enclosing the courtyard to become the iconic atrium and the Polygon became a dual purpose building. The sixth form classes took place in the daytime then the youth club would open in the evening. Tom talked about the sense of community that was created. A coffee bar was run by volunteers; whoever was using the building would make sure it was manned. In the morning this would even be the cleaner. Young people gained experience and a sense of ownership. The staff members of the two teams would co-ordinate their coffee breaks to ensure that they could mix and socialise.

Over the years the Polygon welcomed and served a wide variety of people from a wider area. It was the home to the Oyster club for young people with Autism and/or learning disabilities, clubs for those with additional needs and disabilities and it offered support and courses to unemployed adults. Tom told us about a local band ‘Revival’ who used the space to rehearse, providing free music for other users to dance to. It was hired out for weddings and private functions which helped supplement the council funds. There was even the occasional ‘picnic at the Polygon’' with live music. The Polygon served as a base for sporting events in the park and further afield. Many people remember the outdoor pursuits which Tom organised during the school holidays; young people were taken my minibus to take part in canoeing, caving and climbing among other things.

Tom Fox retired in 2007 and 2008 received the MBE for his services to young people. Tom’s son Paul has gone on to, alongside other passionate local people, set up AYUP (Alfreton Youth Umbrella Provision) bringing back youth services to the town.

The more we learn about the past uses of the Polygon, the more we are struck by the similarities in the way the building was used and our plans and hopes for the Polygon in the future. We hope to create a place that serves the wider community but also to create a community of businesses, organisations and clubs within the Polygon.

We would love to hear your own memories of the Polygon and see any old photographs that you might have. You can contact us using the email link below or through our (1) Facebook page.