30th June 2011

DORCHESTER: Skatejam reaches new heights

Hundreds packed the skate park in Dorchester for this year’s Skatejam as the event finally went ahead following an earlier cancellation due to bad weather.

Skateboards, BMX bikes, scooters and inline skates all took to the ramps to provide at times breathtaking feats as riders launched themselves into mid-air to provide onlookers with an incredible display of tricks and somersaults.

Professionals joined amateurs to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and daring deeds as the Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Tess James, went along to witness first hand the success of Dorchester’s state of the art skatepark.

Organised by the skatepark committee, with support from Dorchester Town Council, Community Development Officer Emma Scott and West Dorset District Council, the event was equally well supported by local businesses who put up all the prizes on offer throughout the day.

And competitors and spectators alike were kept fuelled by the Jalopy pizzas, ice creams, and candy floss as well as burgers, sausages and fries.

There was also the chance to buy t-shirts, skateboards and a whole range of safety and other equipment from the stalls dotted around the site.

The marketplace car park provided a variety of activities for people to try out. Jackson Turner was present with his Train Hard Parkour Freerunners.

West Dorset District Council went along with their mobile skatepark, there was bungee running, a graffiti wall and the opportunity to Beat the Stig with Casterbridge Rotary Club’s scalextric racing cars.

Across the road in Maumbury Rings, there was a demonstration of the Maverick Slacklines, an extreme balance sport, with the chance to give it a go following displays of acrobatic skills by the experts.

Maybe the most interesting display was put on by Mark White of Dorset County Council Trading Standards. Aimed mainly at 16 - 24-year-olds, this guides youngsters into buying their first car safely, their legal rights, dealing with problems, and their rights as a consumer.

Supported by Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue and the Ambulance Service, a specially adapted car is used to highlight the pitfalls of buying your first vehicle. With half the car as it should be, the other half contains faults which they challenge you to find. And they can also re-create car crashes and offer advice on first aid.

This wonderful innovation won Mark White and his team the best stand and the best initiative at the recent Trading Standards Institute Conference. The car is also taken into schools and colleges as an aid to educating young people as to the hazards they may face if unaware of the dangers.

DORCHESTER: Skatejam reaches new heights

Comments

Add new comment