Hi, I am a new resident to the area, live in Charlton Place which is right next to the park. Before the skatepark it was really lovely living in the area. Now, it isn't as appealing as there is constant litter around the area, more ruffians and often the stench of weed.
I'm in my mid 20's and I can fully understand and appreciate the idea behind the skatepark, youngsters do need something to do. However a more suitable location could surely have been found instead of wrecking a lovely family park, its no where near as appealing as it use to be. When you drive past now, all you can see is a litter.
Can't help but think it hasn't made the area any better, perhaps worse.
Went to have a good look today - I can honestly say there wasn't any rubbish in sight, nor ruffians or untoward smells.
Saturday, the park was heaving, the new kids playground mega busy, the skatepark packed out. Stayed and watched for an hour or so, didn't see anybody smoking anything, legal or illegal. The atmosphere seemed excellent and everybody that wanted to, getting a go the experienced guys stepping back to let the not so experienced do their thing. There certainly wasn't any agressive behaviour. Just lots of people having a good time developing their skills. There was the inevitable odd bits of rubbish left on the grass by the uncaring few, a Kentucky fried box and a few empty pop cans and all within a few feet of the rubbish bins but then you can see that in the Halford's car park when the boy racers dispose of their Burger King boxes out of the car window. My only negative observation is the state of the park surface on the north side of the bowl and what were presumably the contractors entrances over the grass. I do hope that something will be done about that soon as it really is a mess.
If 'your mum' is a member of the skating or BMXing fraternity then it's a pity that instead of the abusive posting if he/she were a little more polite, then we might be more inclined to believe that the users were a friendly band rather than the impression given by that one person who seems to want to be a spokesperson.
Saturday, the park was heaving, the new kids playground mega busy, the skatepark packed out. Stayed and watched for an hour or so, didn't see anybody smoking anything, legal or illegal. The atmosphere seemed excellent and everybody that wanted to, getting a go the experienced guys stepping back to let the not so experienced do their thing. There certainly wasn't any agressive behaviour. Just lots of people having a good time developing their skills. There was the inevitable odd bits of rubbish left on the grass by the uncaring few, a Kentucky fried box and a few empty pop cans and all within a few feet of the rubbish bins but then you can see that in the Halford's car park when the boy racers dispose of their Burger King boxes out of the car window. My only negative observation is the state of the park surface on the north side of the bowl and what were presumably the contractors entrances over the grass. I do hope that something will be done about that soon as it really is a mess.
If 'your mum' is a member of the skating or BMXing fraternity then it's a pity that instead of the abusive posting if he/she were a little more polite, then we might be more inclined to believe that the users were a friendly band rather than the impression given by that one person who seems to want to be a spokesperson.
Thanks for that opinion Brian - I know you weren't keen on the idea - so glad you went with an open mind
In fairness to "your mum" there are four different posts on here slating "his baby" and it's easy to resort to abuse - god knows I struggle when annoyed - and I am old enough to know better
Just need to get scooters on there and everyone should be relatively happy !
Thanks for that opinion Brian - I know you weren't keen on the idea - so glad you went with an open mind
You're not quite right there, I have always been pro the skatepark. What I was against was the way that WBC bullied the Town Council to move it and the kids playground down the park to make way for their bleedin pavilion.
I had a go on my BMX and found it very exhilarating.
They aren't seriously intending to go ahead with this still, are they? I thought it had died a death.
Why build on the park when Northbrook Street would obviously be a much better location? With shops closing by the day Northbrook Street needs all the help it can get and there's lots of vacant property to convert if only they can find an imaginative architect. A pavilion in the park would have the opposite effect, dragging even more people away from Northbrook Street.
In a few months time it wil be that everyone wants it (they'll have fiddled the figures by then) and how wonderful WBC are at providing such a facility!
It wasn't like this in the old days. None of your scooter and skateboard nonsense. Here's a detail from the Corn Exchange's current 150th anniversary exhibition which shows proper skating. Note the then chair of the Newbury Retail Association looking glumly on from the left hand side of the bench. What was he thinking, I wonder?
It wasn't like this in the old days. None of your scooter and skateboard nonsense. Here's a detail from the Corn Exchange's current 150th anniversary exhibition which shows proper skating. Note the then chair of the Newbury Retail Association looking glumly on from the left hand side of the bench. What was he thinking, I wonder?
How come I get landed with sitting in front of the bass player...
Excellent suggestions so far. Well done for spotting Charles D Mr E! It is him, isn't it? I love the fact that they all look so serious apart from the double bass player who is obviously having a whale of a time.
I think the retail association chair is saying. 'Eh, lad. You know I told t'council they should make this into a swimming pool but did they listen? No, they never do listen to me. Do you think they'll ever tear up t'cobbles in the t'market place and cover it in that new fangled Tarmacadam so that people could park their carts there conveniently like I told them to? Nay, lad, nay etc. etc. Tha knows.'
I have no idea why he is talking in a northern accent.
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