Calne youngsters raise skate park cash (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Calne youngsters raise skate park cash

8:46am Monday 11th February 2013 in News By Anne Moore

Teenage fundraisers have collected nearly £1,000 towards the redevelopment of Calne’s skate park.

The park, known as The Bowl locally, is already 20 years old and in need of repair as the concrete surface is cracked in several places.

Planning permission for a £140,000 redevelopment, to place a new skate bowl next to the existing one, was granted last year.

A group of young skaters, who began working together in October, hope to help finance this by raising at least £5,000.

They have collected just under £1,000 through events including a bag packing day at Sainsbury’s and a dress down day at John Bentley School.

Town councillor Howard Marshall, who has been working with the group, said they had already secured £58,000 on top of this and were waiting for a further £50,000 in landfill tax credits.

He said the group had formed they had become part of the town’s community, getting involved with the Castlefields River and Park Association, attending Calne area board meetings and taking part in the Christmas lantern parade.

He said: “They are heading in the right direction and they are working hard themselves to do it. 

"For youngsters today to go out and to take this on themselves is fantastic.“They have shown other people in the town what youngsters can do with the right motivation. They are turning into model citizens who take an interest in local issues- they are really taking an interest in other groups in the town.”

Jordan Hyde, 16, is a student at John Bentley School and has been part of the skate park group for just under a year.

He attended the last Calne Area Board meeting on Tuesday February 5 to update councillors on the group’s progress and said they were still looking for financial support.

He said: “When they told me we’re thinking about getting a new skate park I wanted to help.

The designs look really good, there will be a spine added into it and it will be double the size.

“It will be somewhere to chill with my mates and it will be good to get more kids coming and enjoying the new space.

“Within the Calne community we are hoping to create a more positive image for skaters. If anyone can think of anyone who can donate please let us know.”

To get in touch with the group contact Jane Vaughan, area board manager for Calne, by e-mailing Jane.Vaughan@wiltshire.gov.uk