Bury St. Edmunds Skatepark Experience Summer Jam

All words and photos by Paul Jackson


Since my move to Sugartown back in '01, I've tried to involve myself fully in the skate scene here. From my first discovery of Hardcore Hobbies in it's former home on St. John's Street, my introduction by the HH boys to The Priors on a Thursday night to the skate park. More recently, taking a roll as a Trustee of the charity, Bury St. Edmunds Skatepark Experience, a small group that with the help of St. Edmundsbury Borough Council managed to raise the funds to not only secure the site of the park for years to come, but also replace the tired wooden ramp park with a concrete construction in 2014. With growing council support for the charity to take on the organisation of events at the park we took the plunge and went ahead and held the annual summer jam this year for the first time. The council gave us advice and helped with the administration required, and two councillors that have been great supporters of the park gave a generous donation to cover the cost of running an event (along with the replacement of the lights). 
So, on Sunday 9th July we did it. Our first independent event. 
With refreshments from The Coffee House, food by The Mobile Pizza Co and Aroy-D Thai Food and first aid support provided by St. Johns Ambulance the jam opened at midday. And it went off!
Various comps were held throughout the day including an amount of scooter events.
Therefore, this article will inevitably contain a load of photos focusing on enthusiasts of the pastime. I think we can all appreciate the bittersweet effect the micro scooter has had on our skateparks and the skate industry. Without the scooter, many of this country's our parks and shops would not exist. 
With that said, the Bury scene is as tight as it is due to it's inclusivity. So BMX is also heavily represented. We all get along. Respect is given to anyone that gives it. 
And the gnarly in every discipline are rewarded at our summer jam. Deal with it.

(Normal four wheeled service resumes next post!)



The Numbers:

Over £2000 raised to improve our skatepark at Olding Road (IP33 3YU)


76 people signed up to DKMS (We Delete Blood Cancer) 

Event sponsors:
Hardcore Hobbies
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
Etnies
Birdhouse
Alien Workshop
Muckefuck
Stay Hard
Four Wheel Fools
Haro
Gusset
Volume Bikes
Collective Bikes
Simple Bike Co.
Proper Bike Co.
Demolition
United Bike Co.
Dominator Scooters
District Scooters
Blazer Pro Scooters


Thanks to: 

Little Angels Day Care (for FREE face painting)
Rehearsal Rooms (PA)
The Mobile Pizza Co.
Aroy-D Authentic Thai Cuisine
The Coffee House
Slick Cuts
SGT Magoo
Sickness and Dismay
Illustrious


The Results:


BMX Bowl:
1. Ash Finlay
2. Charlie Cope
3.Ban Callingham


BMX Street:
1. Wichai Saensawat
2. Adam Welton
3. Beans


BMX Newcomer:
1. Marcin Maciolek
2. Jack Roe
3. Jasper Skeads


Scooter Bowl:
1. Josh Tucker
2. Jack Towns
3. Dylan Yallop


Scooter Street:
1. Tristan Mcdonahew
2. Max Bent-Marshall
3. Jamie Ryan


Scooter Newcomer:
1. Calum Lowe
2. Reece Roberts
3. Sam Frost


Skate Bowl:
1. Will
2. Sid Pallot
3. Jake Pervis


Skate Street:
1. Dylan Pooley
2. Alfie Jefferies
3. Will


Skate Newcomer:
1. Charlie Turner
2. Henry Mcbride
3. Riley Lowes


Luke Jarvis Shield:
1. Ash Finlay
2. Max Gill
3. Jacob Carroll

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