Steve Mullineaux - South Hams District Council - Director of Customer Service and Delivery Rob Sekula - South Hams District Council - Natural Resources and Green Spaces Cllr Denise O'Callaghan - South Hams District Council - Ward Member for Kingsbridge Cllr Victor Abbott - South Hams District Council - Executive Member for Community Services and Leisure Adam Sherring, Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group Cllr Julia Wingate, Kingsbridge Town Council Child skatepark user
(Steve Mullineaux - South Hams District Council - Director of Customer Service and Delivery Rob Sekula - South Hams District Council - Natural Resources and Green Spaces Cllr Denise O'Callaghan - South Hams District Council - Ward Member for Kingsbridge Cllr Victor Abbott - South Hams District Council - Executive Member for Community Services and Leisure Adam Sherring, Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group Cllr Julia Wingate, Kingsbridge Town Council Child skatepark user)

Celebrations for Kingsbridge’s first community Skate Jam went off with a flying start at the opening of its new skatepark on Saturday July 6.

Organised by Kingsbridge Skatepark Group, the skatepark is supported by South Hams District Council and others.

The fantastic, jam-packed event featured skate, scooter, blade and BMX competitions for all skill levels, along with live music, food and a bar.

Adam Sherring, Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group, said: “Saturday’s Skate Jam is another testament to how badly these sort of facilities are required in the South Hams. You can probably feel the positivity flowing through Kingsbridge right now - it’s beginning to feel like a community for the majority, not the minority.

Built at the end of 2023, the skatepark was achieved due to the collaboration between Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group, South Hams District Council, Kingsbridge Town Council, Sport England and the incredible support of Kingsbridge residents. Working closely together, the funders all had a common goal; to provide a community skatepark for Kingsbridge.

Cllr Julia Wingate, Kingsbridge Town Council, said: “The first Kingsbridge skate Jam has just been amazing, so many competitors from as young as four years old! And so much community support with volunteers helping out, bands play for free, stages built for goodwill, we could not have asked for more.

“The skate community of Kingsbridge are really taking care and ownership of the new facility, keeping it clean and tidy, swept of leaves and tree debris so they can skate to their hearts content.”

Cllr Victor Abbott, South Hams District Councils, Executive Member for Community Services and Leisure, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part in our survey. We had 180 responses and there was a clear preference shown by local residents to progress the proposal for a new skatepark in the existing location.

 “Council staff are currently applying for a ‘Certificate for Lawfulness as Permitted Development’ which we hope to get by early 2024. Since the survey we have received new contact from local residents who are enthusiastic about fundraising towards the shortfall in funding. We will be working closely with them to develop their ideas. It is encouraging to see the continued interest in seeing this project through to completion.”