TODAY ...

Our 3rd Annual Skate Jam was a success!

Wow, we were lucky with the weather as the rain stayed away just long enough for our Skate Jam which was held on Sunday 4th July.

This was the third year for the event with improvements year on year and we already have a few more ideas a bigger, better event next year.

Competition categories were £2 to enter each and there was a BBQ and refreshments with all proceeds going towards our steering group fund which helps maintain Shepton Mallet’s Skate Park and associated projects.

More than 200 spectators attended and this year there was more entrants not only from Shepton Mallet but also from surrounding areas.

The competition kicked off with Billy in the 8 – 10 year old category for Scooters, which he went on to win.




The 11 - 13 year old categories followed and for Blades the 1st prize went to Cory Bobbett from Street: -



and the 11 - 13 year old Boards category 1st prize went to Danny Willis: -



and the 11 - 13 year old Scooter category 1st prize was awarded to Justice Walker of Shepton Mallet.



The Boards 14 - 16 year old category was won by Lewis Edge: -



and the BMX 14 - 16 year old category was won by Keiran Perrin a title he has won for the second year running.



Last year’s Latvian ‘Best Trick’ champion Martins won this years ‘Best Trick’ again after impressing the crowds with his BMX 360 degree mid air rotation!



And Oskars won a trophy for second place.

The open competition winner was Oskars, also a Latvian entrant from Shepton Mallet, who won the top prize using his BMX. Oskars won a trophy and the £50 prize money, which was sponsored by Great Ostrey Picture Framing of Shepton Mallet. Martins also received a trophy for second place.



We (the young people's steering group) would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who took part and for those who came along to support the event. Thank you to our judges - Jim, Sally Fraser and Lloyd. Thanks also to the event sponsors Great Ostrey Picture Framing, St Andrews Press, Surfers Yard and Fraser & Co who without their support the event would not have been possible.

A special thank you to St Johns Ambulance for their services and Stu Capon – a local, amateur photographer who spent all day documenting the event with photographs.

The next young people’s event is in two weeks time on Saturday 17th July 2010, a BMX/Dirt track event to open the new dirt track facility at Shepton Mallet. Registration from 11.30am, trophies to all that enter (terms and conditions apply).

If anyone would like to sponsor any future events or would like any further information on becoming a member of the young people's steering group please contact Simon Howell or Karen Reeve (Youth Workers) on 01749 344344 or 07821253537.

A few more pictures: -

Skate Jam 2010 This Weekend!!!

Don't forget the Skate Jam is this weekend.

Sunday 4th July 2010 1pm - 4pm (entries can be registered from 12.30pm).

£2 entry fee for each category

Helmets must be worn

Refreshments and BBQ available

This may be cancelled at short notice if the weather makes the competition unsafe.

For further information please contact: -

Simon (Youth Worker) 078212535337

or check this blog.

Skate Jam 2010 Update

Jam 10 is coming and it gets better and better and this is our third annual event. (Click photo to enlarge)

Want to take part? then come and join us as you've got to be in it to win it

After this Jam we have another event to officially open our dirt track so keep 17th July free as there will be another competition, bike display and a mega prize up for grabs - more details to follow ...

Watch this space ...

Skate Park Update

For the last few weeks we have been having some work on our Skate Park. We have had some repair work and some additions to a couple of the ramps.



This week the work was completed and we are proud to announce that the new additions include a new Spine and a new Box.




These will both be great additions to the skate & BMX park and we are especially pleased that its done in time for our next Skate Jam event ... details to follow ...

Happy Days!

The track is now finished and it looks really great, the feedback from everyone has been excellent and the track is being well used. Steve Jenks (Track Designer and builder) will be returning in a couple of weeks to check wear and tear and fix any problems if necessary.

Please check back here for news of upcoming events when we have our official track launch event and of course our annual BMX and Skate Jam.

I am sure you are aware about the huge amount of work involved in a project like this but here is a message from Will Dunscombe who has been a driving force for this project: -

I would personally like to take this opportunity to thank some extra individuals who have helped in making the BMX track a successful young people’s and community project, especially those who live near the West Shepton playing fields.

I would also like to thank John Hugill of Shepton Mallet football club, Adrian Coward, the Badger man, for his help and advice. Thanks to Stephan Urch from Penny's for donating the 1,200 tonnes of dirt which without dirt would have been a non starter!! Thank you to Moons Hill Quarry for donating stone dust to finish the track off. Thanks also to the One Craft gallery for their donation of cash, Old mill accountants for their £50.00 donation and a big thank you to Sally Fraser of Glastonbury Festival Camp Site Crew who donated well over £6,000, some of which will go towards helping to maintain the track for the next two years. Part of this donation was instrumental in us being able to get the grant, as we had to prove that we had the funds to maintain it for the next two years.

Many of our local businesses in the town also pledged to help with funds at such a time of economic suffering and hardship and we appreciate everything you have offered.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Simon and Karen - Youth Workers from Shepton Mallet Young People's Centre, who have worked incredibly hard on this project and other projects in the town. They are always there; rain or shine and I feel we are lucky to have such dedicated youth workers. Thanks also to Community Police Officer Guy Dury for his dedication and hard work and to Mendip district Council’s Pete Mc Kenzie, Stewart Finney and Martin Errington. Another community group I would like to give a big thank you to is Dave Evans and GRASP (Group Response for Action on Shepton’s Problems) whose initial letter to the Journal prompted the offer of funding from SMASH. On a personal level I would like to thank Dave for his help in preparing a professional presentation for the funding body. We only had four days to prepare our case and I could not have achieved this without his guidance and assistance. Finally I would like to thank Andrea White from Shepton Mallet Young People’s Centre for all her hard work and dedication to the young people of Shepton. I feel we are lucky to have her as Shepton’s youth leader as she has achieved so much. Last but not least, the young people of Shepton Mallet who, in their own right have raised a substantial amount of money for this project. Young people are often portrayed in a bad light, but I can honestly say that the young people I have worked with on this project are one of the town’s most valuable assets and it has been a pleasure to work with them. Well done to all who have made this project happen.

Will Dunscombe


Thanks for that Will and while we are thanking every one The Steering Group would like to say the BIGGEST thank you to you for all your dedication, drive and vision for this project. You are the cornerstone of both our Steering Group and the Shepton Mallet Community.

Almost ready ....

Finally the track is nearing completion and we are hoping that this week it will finally be finished.

Its been a long cold winter and with the weather and then the protection of our Badger neighbours we had to take a break but look how its is getting on: -







Happy days to come ...