So as Sunday dawned it was everyones last chance to skate Central Park before the area was cordoned off for the vital refurbishments. Before we began to set up camp for the day a select group of Chelmsfords Extreme Sports Community joined forces to tackle the rubbish issue raised by the County Council. The Skatepark Campaign Group blitz the park top to bottom leaving no stone unturned.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of those who came down and got dirty all in the name of a good cause, your efforts were greatly appreciated and send a clear message to the Council, who their dealing with and what we're about.
Everyone who helped with the mammoth effort being awarded a "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" voucher from our wonderful and ever supportive local Skate Specialists http://demonxtreme.com/ .
A special mention to Charlie Milmil for going the extra mile and making sure we didn't miss a spot.
So countless bin bags later and 2 hours of trash collecting, sweeping and dusting off of the ramps we set up in preparation for a long and beautifully sunny day. There was not so much of a format for the day more a last chance to shred the park but also raise awareness about the Skatepark Campaign.
With the Info stand set up ready to answer any questions the community had on what we're doing and trying to highlight. Not bad for a rag tag band of park dwellers, it just goes to prove what a group of positive and like minded youngsters can do. Well done Guys.
We had a massive amount of support and in preparation for the park to fill up quickly we had many donated prizes given kindly by businesses both local and further a field. I'd just like to give a quick mention to all the companies that donated to the cause and with out you the day would not have been a success. Thanks goes to ...
Anne Gooderham at DEMON XTREME SPORTS for everything,
Tom Halliday for hooking up all the prizes from DUFF SHOES,
Kevin McKeon for the sorting out the Skateboard Decks
All at Wheelscape Skatepark Designs for the many T-shirts and stickers,
Just a few of the days prizes...
So as people started to descend on the park the atmosphere was amazing, music pumping, hammers thrown and everyone making the most of the awkward and quite frankly terrible park. But the whole Skatepark community as always making the best of what we've got, banded together and things really started to go off.
Skaters and Bikers far and wide came to support the cause, with families setting up picnics and passers by dropping in to see what all the fuss was about, with the sun beaming down a lovely vibe and a great sense of community descended across the park.
The ever supportive Local Lib Dem Candidate Stephen Robinson cycled by with his son to come join in and soak up the atmosphere, watch out Stephen looks like you've got a little dare devil in the making too. Many thanks, your support and advice is always appreciated by our group.
We had the weather on our side and spirits where high, so it was only right as the park began to fill up and get quite cramped, we started the mini comps,
All ages, abilities and sports got the chance to show their skills and almost everyone who participated throughout the day took something home, whether that be badges, stickers, keychains, beanie hats, t-shirts, vouchers for Park DX the list goes on and on...
The atmosphere in the Park was electric, drawing many a confused glance from passers by and attracting alot of positive attention in our direction, people just passing thorough deciding to stay and chill and watch the proceedings...
So as the day drew to a close the ever beating sun dropping below the tree line, we announced the "Ripper of the Day" winners with a representative from each sport being chosen to receive the bigger prizes...BMX/Mountain Bike (£20 voucher from Demon Xtreme) - Olly Parker (consistent massive airs gaps and transfers all day long, high flyer)
Inline (£20 voucher from Demon Xtreme) - Matt "Squid" Witchalls (technical genius and just wouldn't sit down)
16+ Skateboard (Skateboard Deck + T-shirt) - AJ Martin (Real ripper and unbeatable attitude and respect)
Under 16 (Skateboard Deck + DVD) - Ben Whalley (One to watch, this young'un has got all the skills and kept ripping throughout the day)
More photos HERE thanks to Dan for coming down and chronicling the day.
All in all the day was a massive success and a great day was had by everyone involved. Lastly just a thank you to you all, for coming down and supporting the cause,
Everyone who came down early and helped clean up the Skatepark,
Luke Pearce (local hero) for providing the Sound System and keeping tunes pumping all day long,
Aj Martin for coming back from Exeter to help organise and keep everyone juiced,
Harry Wilson (not so local but still local hero) for keeping everyone amped all day
Luke Sayer without you buddy I would have been pretty stuck,
Daz Coles for just doing what your doing,
Dan Slieker for rocking the papparazzi position,
My Missus for putting up with all this C**P,
Everyone who Biked Boarded or Bladed throughout the day
and everyone for just coming down and enjoying the day with us.
Most of all a massive Thank You to all our Supporters and thanks to you, Chelmsford "County Town of Essex" is finally having its Skatepark Facility addressed.
(Please respect those working on the Skatepark site while the area is cordoned off, the time will fly by and I'm sure you will all be rather pleased with the result).
The Journey Continues..............
