R.I.P. Wall ride

If you have any wallride pictures you would like to see here, or pictures for the gallery please be in touch.

Expansion

Below is the final copy of the designs in plan view.
The current ramps have been moved, the two walls are down, upstairs has been extended, kitchen is being finished off, new bigger skate store. It's happening real quick. Ramps to start construction on the 19th. To be finished by the 9th.

Progress

Big Lottery Awards, The Big 7.

After battling against the odds to get from the semi finals against 10 other projects we made it to the finals, the top three in our catergory the top 21 in the country. After a nail biting evening we where dissappointed to walk away being piped at the post. We did well to get how far we got, hopefully we will be able to reapply in the future and take home the gold!
We walked away with roughly £1,400 which at this time is obviously a much needed boost to the finances.

Thank you for all the support from the Big Lottery promotions team inparticular Jackie Aplin. We would also like to thank the support of the local schools and their staff. Finally but by no means least the support of Chris Bryant MP Rhondda and Leighton Andrews AM Rhondda, your support with this and other projects means so much to us and your local community.

Donations - Thank you

Thank you to Tarvin Methodist for raising £300 for the Skate Park, It really is appreciated.

Recently Screentec donated £100 worth of inkind stickers to the skate park. A big thank you to them.

If you feel like you would like to donate to the cause of the skate park please use the donate button on the left.

The history of F.S.P.

Ferndale Skate Park was founded by local community minded residents of Tylorstown who were very concerned to see so many young people ‘hanging around’ local bus shelters, on benches, or down by the river with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Consequently these young people were seen to being drawn into under age drinking of alcohol, drug abuse and vulnerable to the exploiters of such young people.

They like so many others hoped ‘someone’ would do something to help these young people... but then decided rather than wait they would try and provide a facility that these Young People said they would like to have.

The group formed themselves into a Non Profit Making Limited Company with a Voluntary Board of Directors, with the assistance of the Wales Co-Operative Society, and applied for Grant funding from the Big Lottery Reaching Out Grant, CFAP Welsh Office Community Grant, Coalfields Regeneration Grant, and The Sports Council of Wales. The Company was successful with all the Grants but did not quite satisfy the Sports Council Grant body, so with the help of the Coalfields who increased their grant funding, the Sporting Marvels based in the Rhondda who through their linking with the Skate Park enabled us to obtain a ‘last minute ‘grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and the funding package completed by the WCVA who provided the Company with their ‘first community loan’.

It was a hard struggle for nearly two years but in July 2006 the Skate Park became a reality and the development of the Unit began. Staff were interviewed and selected all within the local community with priority given those who needed the opportunity of employment most, again the main emphasis being with empathy with the local Young People and their situations, ‘heart for the Youth and Young Adults of the locality’.

The Skate Park’s aim is to be a safe haven for all, with no smoking, no alcohol, no drugs allowed within or around it, with caring, friendly staff.

The Skate Park opened its doors for the first time on 11th December 2006, and it has brought great joy to the Company to see so many Young People come and enjoy the facilities provided which include;

• Indoor Skateboarding
• Roller-blading
• BMX bike riding over professional ramps built by Evolution Ramps.
• Pool on a slate bed pool table.
• Snack Cafeteria serving good hot food at very good prices!
• Internet Cafe
• Xbox 360 on a projector
• Birthday parties can be held by special arrangement.

The Official Opening

15/02/2007

The Skate Park was officially opened on 15th February by Mrs. Edwina Hart AM, MBE, Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, recorded live on BBC television, with Members of the Big Lottery, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Andrea and Clair,  Sporting Marvels, Leighton Andrews AM Rhondda, Chris Bryant MP Rhondda, Martin Matthews of WCVA, Carina Phillips of Capital Law, Mr. Bassett-Jones of Business in the Community, Jayesh Parmer of Wales Co-op Limited, Local Councilors Kevin Williams, Annette Davies, Robert Bevan, Headmaster Peter Jenkins, David Griffiths (deputy Headmaster Porth County Community School), and Neil Atkinson Aberdare Boys School, Jim Price Senior Youth Officer for Rhondda Fach, Pam Taylor School support worker, Drop Inn youth club leader and Skate Park Volunteer, John Cox Bethel Baptist Ferndale Pastor and Youth Work Leader. Steve Evans, Assistant Pastor Bethel Baptist and also Youth work leader, Ros Davies, Debra Hanney of Maerdy Communities First, TEDS Representatives, and very important our own Committee representatives, Board and Bladers who did an excellent demonstration recorded live on TV., Kirtis and Jimi gave live interviews and Joe and friends played as a group brilliantly for all to enjoy. It was an awesome scary day, one never to be forgotten!

Other facilities to come very shortly include:

• Table Football
• Further development of the internet cafe
• Mountain Biking
• and hopefully Sky Sports / Music Satellite Television.