Thanks again for everyone’s support. 283 signatures is a great achievement!

I submitted the petition to the Parish Council back in December and was invited to attend their last meeting on 16th January.

I started by highlighting the frustration that I and a lot of other parents share that the skate park was demolished 2 years ago. Prior to that the Council spent several years maintaining the wooden ramps, realising it was unsustainable due to cost, yet here we are now 4 years later with no plan or funding for a replacement.

It has become apparent that one of the main reasons the PC have not pursued a replacement is due to anti-social behaviour which they feel the skate park attracted. I did point out that most people using the ramps would not be smashing glass etc on the park that they are trying to skate! Also, a lot of these issues were worse during the covid lockdown years when kids were bored out of their minds with nowhere to go. Not an excuse, but certainly exceptional years.

Most Ravenshead parents feel that there is very little for older kids to do on their own merit to meet and socialise with friends and to get them outside and off their screens. However, each time I mention this to the PC I get a list of sports clubs that are available in the village. Whilst sports clubs are great, I spend over £60 each month on Ravenshead football clubs alone! What we are asking for is a play facility that children can use which is free, open every day, and doesn’t require adult supervision nor transport!

To try and get things moving I also asked if I could set up a Community Interest Trust with other parents to look to secure grant funding, as a lot of villages have had success with this route. However, it was pointed out that it’s not my land and if the council decide not to do anything I would personally be responsible to pay all the money back! It was really frustrating to hear this as it made it clear that there is a real reluctance to agree to replace the park, even if others are prepared to do the hard work to try and secure funding. Its certainly not just a funding issue.

I asked if we can at least get a decision made on whether we can, or can’t, replace the skate park facility. The council replied saying let them finish the current Leisure Centre project first and then they will at least review the skate park situation.  

The reason why we see new concrete skate parks appearing in Blidworth, Farnsfield, Southwell etc is because research shows they provide a great sports and play facility for all age groups. They’re tried and tested across the country! I would love to see the facility replaced with a concrete structure but I also made the point that if the council are adamant that they will not replace it, please build something else suitable for older children. At the moment they are simply doing nothing.

Farnsfield built their new skate park last year at over £100k, Southwell are building theirs now at £200k yet only £20k came from Southwell town council. We’re just not aiming high enough with our grant applications in Ravenshead so money is going to surrounding villages.  

Please all feel free to share any frustrations, support or thoughts you have with Ravenshead Parish Council direct:

office@ravensheadpc.org.uk

The more people that contact the council to say we want the skate park replaced, the more likely they are to do it!