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.