WEYMOUTH CHILDREN FUNDRAISING FOR A FREE, WHEELED FACILITY TO BE INSTALLED IN THEIR LOCAL PARK

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March 2002

Despite the success of achieving a skatepark for Weymouth, because the facility is dependent on an entrance fee, many local children (and their parents) are disadvantaged because they cannot afford to pay. This is creating areas around Weymouth where children are congregating, in ever-growing numbers, with skates, skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes, causing damage and anti-social problems, for residents, businesses, pedestrians and private property. The Police are continually receiving and acting upon complaints. A Petition was initiated in December 2001, circulated, and then presented by Councillor Anne Thomas to the full Council in February 2002 calling for a ‘FREE, wheeled play facility’ in Weymouth.

The Council voted unanimously in support of the Petition so parents have now joined with the local community and set up ‘RADIPOLE FUNSEEKERS.’ In partnership with W & P B Council, St Aldhelm’s Church, youth groups, schools and Dorset Police, this non-profit, Committee-led, Group’s aim is to encourage children to meet and socialise at the facility so that they can pursue their activities at the ‘street course’ in safety and in the appropriate place. The Council have offered an area in Radipole Park for the installation of the purpose-built facility, which will be designed in consultation with the children. W & P B Council has also agreed to adopt it, once it is installed, as part of the play area. This facility will enhance those at The Front skatepark, as it will be smaller and designed for children who are not ready to use the larger ramps, or for inexperienced users.

The next step is to raise funds for the equipment – it will cost approximately £20,000.

St Aldhelm’s Church (in Spa Road) have kick-started the fundraising with the magnificent sum of £5,000. Another £5,000 has also been offered by W & P B C and applications are being made to as many Grant Funding Bodies as possible. It is hoped that work can commence as soon as possible as it can be built in stages, according to the funding.

September 2002

We have achieved the £20,000 needed and are anxiously awaiting the installation of the street-course! The money was raised from the following sources - and the Committee are indebted to them for their generosity and faith in the project:

R A D I P O L E F U N S E E K E R S

JUBILEE STREET COURSE

FUNDRAISING

‘Cresta Run’ Sponsored Slide

Wheels in Motion

Weymouth Sports Club

Table Top Sale

Raffle

Wey Valley School

Whizz Kids Raffle

TOTAL £20,000

The Jubilee Street Course

Funded by

‘Awards for All’ Lottery Fund - Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award

St Aldhelm’s Church, ‘Cox Trust’

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

Wessex Water

SW Forum – Community Champions Fund

Police Partnership Trust

Underground

Dorset Community Action Team

Local Business

A Community Partnership with Radipole Funseekers, 2002

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