September 25, 2014 10.48 am This story is over 114 months old

Bracebridge Heath youths promote skatepark benefits

Community skateparks: Young people from Bracebridge Heath have been competing for the chance to show the full potential of their local skatepark.
(L-R) left to right: Co-op staff Kelly Slow; Kailem Tomlinson, Will Christopher, Brandon Wright, PCSO Marcos Meneses, Co-op staff Daniel Bancroft, Zach Wade, Reece Wade.

Young people from Bracebridge Heath have been competing for the chance to show the full potential of their local skatepark, and have received praise and gifts from police and businesses in the area.

Entrants to the competition were asked to create a short video of themselves at the park, performing tricks on their BMX bike, scooter or skateboard.

On Saturday, September 20, five winners of the competition were taken on a special tour of Bracebridge Heath Police Station, and awarded gifts donated by local businesses.

The winners of the competition were:

  • 1st – Will Christopher
  • 2nd – Brandon Wright
  • 3rd – Kailem Tomlinson
  • Joint 4th – Zach & Reece Wade

The gifts, which were sponsored by Lincoln Halfords, Asda in North Hykeham, Tesco Express in Bracebridge Heath, Budgens in Waddington and the Bracebridge Heath Co-Op, included cycling gear, bike accessories and giftcards.

The competition was devised by PCSO Marcos Meneses. He said: “I created this competition to get our young community to use the skate parks in our area (most of them new) and also for the Neighbourhood Policing Team to have a positive reason to go to the skate parks and engage with children and their parents.

“It was intended to promote safety and also to prevent anti-social behaviour”.

Winner of the first prize, Will Christopher said he had enjoyed making the video.

His parents said that they felt it was good for the relationship between the police and young people, and helped children to feel part of the community.

Brandon Wright said: “I enjoy competing in anything to do with skateboarding, bmxing and scooters”.

Kailem Tomlinson said he had enjoyed taking part in the competition and said that the experience had helped his relationship with the police because it had given him a chance to chat with them and a look around the police station.

Joint winners of the fourth prize, Reece and Zach Wade said they had enjoyed making the video. Their parents commented that taking part in the competition helped children to see that “police aren’t just there for when people are bad”.

In May, 2014, the Bracebridge Heath skatepark was given a new look with the help of local residents who made their mark with graffiti.