Who and Why?
Littlemoor Funseekers was initiated in February 2003 by a group of children who live in Littlemoor. They were fed up with being moved on from wherever they were using their skateboards, skates or BMX bikes. Littlemoor, as a ‘deprived area,’ has high unemployment, low incomes, single-parent families, social deprivation and few play facilities - other than a grassy field or a small area for very young children. Because of this lack of facilities, the youngsters were congregating in the local shopping centre, which has a large flat area of tarmac for car parking, and causing disruption and inconvenience for the local businesses and their customers. Local residents were unhappy as they were moving on to the pavements, roads and private property when evicted from the car park area. The children are placing themselves in danger from passing traffic and creating problems for pedestrians and residents.
Another group of local children had six months previously contacted the local paper, which had run a story, about the lack of facilities for the children in the area – especially the large numbers who use skateboards, skates and BMX bikes. It was clear that the children had made a valid point and their voices needed to be heard. With all these children feeling so disillusioned and desperate for a designated place to meet, socialise and practice their sports, the local Youth Club stepped in and offered their premises for an open meeting to discuss the feasibility of fundraising for a small free skatepark for the youngsters to use.
What Happened Next -
The meeting in March 2003 was a great success – a real community partnership was formed with local children, residents, parents, The Youth Club and leaders, the local Church, local community action group, Councillors, The Police, Community Development Officer from Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and other volunteers all agreeing they would like to help. A name was chosen, a Committee was then formed, a Constitution agreed and a fundraising programme set up. The children have come up with a long list of ideas. It was decided to work on the project in two phases.
This was to raise £40,700 for the skatepark by whatever means possible. It was decide to apply to various partnerships, statutory and voluntary bodies for help with funding. This was achieved in just 10 months and the surfacing work commenced in February 2004.
Phase 2 FENCING, LANDSCAPING AND PLANTING
This was to raise further funding to provide security fencing, landscaping and planting around the area of the skatepark. If enough money can be obtained, additional “free loan” equipment and free skate lessons can be provided “out of school hours”. To achieve this phase, a total of £12,155 was sought. This was achieved by sponsorship from just two groups - The Tudor Trust have provided £5,000 for the fencing and the remainder for landscaping etc was contributed by Crossways Area Environment Association. The fencing will be installed in June 2004 and the landscaping will take place in the autumn when ground conditions are better for planting.
Plan-into-Action
A quote, and visuals, of a street course were obtained from local Poole Company GBH Engineering who specialise in this type of purpose-built equipment and who installed it in April 2004.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS OF
LITTLEMOOR SKATEPARK
‘Awards for All’
Children in Need
Crossways Area Environmental Association (CAEA)
Dorset Community Action
Dorset Police Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships
Littlemoor Community Action Group
‘Living Spaces’
Police Partnership Trust
Radipole Funseekers
St Francis of Assisi Church
Top Club Youth Club
Tudor Trust
Underground, Surf, Skate & Ride
Wessex Water
Wey Valley School
Weymouth & District Round Table (Carnival)
Weymouth & Portland Borough Council
TOTAL RAISED SO FAR: £52,855
Updated 18.05.04
Fundraising: The largest single Grant of £24,000 was awarded by ‘LIVING SPACES’ (from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). This made such a difference to the project in terms of the skatepark happening sooner, rather than later. Much localised fundraising had taken place but the sums of money were not making big inroads towards the balance needed. ‘Awards for All’ granted £5,000 early in the project, which gave the group confidence to ‘keep going.’ Other funders then generously stepped in and provided sums from £150 to over £1,000. The Tudor Trust, Children in Need and the Crossways Area Environment Association completed the much needed balance for Phase 2 and the finishing touches are in hand.
Weymouth Carnival 2003: We decided to fundraise at the Carnival and, as soon as we heard there was a cash prize of £300 for the ‘best dressed stall’ – we were determined to win it. The photos show the stall, helpers and the activities that took place. Our efforts were well rewarded – the stall took several hundred pounds AND we won the ‘best dressed’ first prize! A big thanks to everyone involved for all their hard work!
PHOTOS – Weymouth carnival – Wednesday 20 August 2003
Even the girls had fun!
The equipment was built and installed so that the young people of Littlemoor were able to use the new Skatepark from Good Friday onwards - during the Easter holidays, when the weather was fine, the skatepark had masses of users. The official opening on Saturday 15 May 2004 was well attended and reported in the local newspaper, the Dorset Echo.
Final Phase: The landscapers arrived on site in the last week of November to complete all the groundwork around the park. They have put in paths and built an embankment which will be planted with pines and dog roses to act as a visual and noise screen for the nearby residents.