Ventnor Blog

Great to see work started last week on brightening up Ventnor Skate Park.

Graffiti artist Nathan, has clearly been working hard and the results so far look brilliant.

Apologies for the grainy-ness in the photos, I just took them as i was walking past and the light was going.
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Graffiti artist, Nathan Holt will be down at the skate park on Wednesday and Thursday this week (weather permitting) to paint the side of the skate park.

Nath was responsible for running the very successful graffiti workshops at the Ventnor Youth Festival back in August.

Anyone is welcome to go along and have a go with him and help to decorate the side panels.

Call me for more information on: 07976 009414

There is a real buzz in the air as the The White Air Extreme Sports Festival draws ever closer.

Less than a week to go and we’ve got news for you every day this week, in the run up to one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

If you’ve been to the festival before, you might’ve noticed that there are lots of ‘HAVE A GO!’ activities. This year, the festival brings you even more and as part of a BBC programme, celebrity sports stars Colin Jackson (pictuered) and Phil Tufnell will go head to head at ‘HAVE A GO’ activities early next week. They will be trying out some of the more radical extreme sports White Air has on offer.
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Very pleased to report that the hired skate ramp that went missing during the clear up from the StreetStyle festival has been returned.

This is great news, as the ramp was hired in for the day and had it not been returned, the StreetStyle project would’ve been liable for covering the cost of it.

Sadly, whoever decided to half inch the grind rail, hasn’t come to their senses yet, as this has still not materialised.

This was purchased with money raised through the fundraisers and grants money, and as Simon pointed out before, this is a small Island, so it’s only a matter of time before someone lets the cat out of the bag.

Hopefully the culprit will do the decent thing and return the grind rail soon. There’ll be no questions asked, and everyone will then get the benefit of the equipment.

Thanks to Alison for sending through a short report of the first StreetStyle festival which took place on 11th August. Sadly we weren’t around at the time, but very pleased to hear that the day went went and a great time was had by all.

There were two skateboarding competitions at the skate ramp and a “street” competition which consisted of mobile grinding rails and small ramps (which incidentally have still not been returned). Twenty three skaters took part in the event, as well as others who joined in the “free skating” sessions.

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World Freestyle Mountain Board Champion, Arno Van de Veyver will be travelling all the way from Belgium next week, to take part in the RAF White Air European Cup UK Freestyle 2007.

If you’ve no idea what mountain boarding is, check out this video. Arno is in there somewhere along with many other champs.

We’ve got a full report of Saturday’s StreetStyle event at the Ventnor skate park coming out next week, but in the meantime, we have some news to pass on.

The organisers hired in two bits of skating kit for the day - a small mobile skate ramp and a grind rail to carry out the competition on.

News reaches us that some clod made off with them during the clearing at the end of the day (guess the mobile ramp turned out to be more mobile than expected).
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Don’t forget that Ventnor sees it’s very first StreetStyle Festival on Ventnor’s Eastern Esplanade tomorrow.

A full day of activity is planned with skating comps, graffiti art, dancing comps, battle of the bands, DJing and more.

The weather forecast is fantastic, so if you live in Ventnor take a stroll down between noon and 8pm.

If you live elsewhere on the Island, come and visit Ventnor, it’s got so much to offer and you don’t have to look far to find it.

Poster designed and produced by Byron from Ventnor Middle School.

I would say it’s that time of year again, but this time round, it’s not, because as we reported back in May, the best extreme sports festival in the UK has moved from it’s usual October slot to end of August.

This year will be the 11th festival and it plays host to the World Windsurfing Racing Championships attracting world class competitors to our fair isle.

There will be tons of events to watch from surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, skate boarding, parkour (look out for the local lads), mountainboarding, bmx-ing, jetski-ing, thundercat racing, surf kayaking and the list goes on.

We’ll be bringing you updates throughout the week before and during the festival, but you can also check their website for more info.

Only a few days to go until the first Ventnor StreetStyle Festival kicks off at the skate park on the eastern esplanade.

Organisers will be busying themselves on Saturday morning getting the site prepared with marquees etc, and the action kicks off from about midday.

A great day of activities are lined up and it’s free to get in. If you’re a budding young band or musician, maybe you can try your luck in Ventnor’s very own “Battle of the Bands”.

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Great to see that the ramps have gone up at the revamped skate park on the Eastern Esplanade as hoped yesterday.

Chatting to Rob Chuter over the weekend, he said that the crane had been booked for early on Monday.

Rob has done an amazing job leading the project to put the skate ramp on secure footings to withstand the pounding of the sea, which that part of the Esplanade is subject to at some points of the Winter.

It was encouraging to hear that some of the younger members of the StreetStyle project had been helping at the weekend, joining in the final push to try and get the skate park ready by next Saturday for the festival.
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I see in the agenda notes for the next Planning Committee (Tuesday 24th) that the future of Niton Skate Ramp will be discussed.

Following the public consultation and the planning officers evaluation of the situation, conditional permission is being suggested.

If this is granted by the Planning Committee, permission will be given for the skate ramp will remain open until 30 September 2010 on or before which date the skateboard ramps shall be dismantled and removed from the site.
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As we reported last week, there will be a Battle of the Bands competition at the first Ventnor StreetStyle Festival on 11th August to take place at Ventnor Skate Park.

Here’s your chance to take part in the competition and possibly be crowned the best of the bunch.

We know that there are tons of budding young musicians out there, so if you’re already in a band and want to compete, give Graeme a call on 078417 13404. He’ll give you more info and book you in.

There is going to be loads going on over the day with graffiti workshops, skate trials, stalls with food and drink, entertainment etc.

[Photo of Ventnor band, Cosmic Debris]

As we’ve previously reported the first Ventnor StreetStyle Festival will take place on 11th August at Ventnor Skate Park on the Eastern Esplanade.

It all kicks off at noon and the day is jam packed with loads to do. There’ll be a music marquee with live bands and DJs, a skate competition, Graffiti Art for all to try, face painting (for the big kids!), BBQ and apparently, loads more. We’ll bring you details when we get them.

Here’s the exciting bit for all you young budding musicians (and we know there’s loads of you out there). There’s going to be a battle of the bands competition, so young bands from around the Island are encouraged to get rehearsing right now. The comp takes place in the afternoon and if you want to take part, call Graeme to register on 07841 713404.

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In direct competition with the beach soccer match on Saturday afternoon is a mash up of music, skating and live art down at the Ryde Skate Ramp.

John Cattle will be leading the Wight Trash skate team showing you how it’s done and there’ll be live graffiti art from Toxic.

Live music will be performed by Ventnor’s own, Blank Beats and Born in a Barn.

All kicks off at 3pm. Ryde Skate Park, Ryde Esplanade.

Don’t forget to add the 11th August to your diary (well, hopefully that date is already in your diary, what I mean is stick this event into your diary). For it is the first (hopefully of many) Ventnor Youth Festival, being organised by StreetStyle.

There will be a whole day of activities at the skate park, including a skate competition, a music marquee with a Battle of the Bands and DJ-ing. You can have a go at graffiti art and there will be plenty of food, face painting etc.

Members of the StreetStyle team are busy designing posters and flyers for the event at the moment, so look out for them in shop windows soon.

Leading up to the event, there will be some free workshops in DJ-ing, graffiti art and site decorations. Watch this space for more info.

Obviously it’s really important to get the skate park finished in time, so as per my post yesterday, if anyone has any time to spare to help move the work along, do please pop down there at the weekends or give Rob a call on 853216.

[image courtesy of Women of Action TV]

If you’ve been past the skate park this week, you’ll have seen that there’s a digger down there now, levelling the ground and generally making the place look like a building site!

The next thing on the list is to get the ramp repaired and returned to it’s rightful place and the new concrete surface put in.

Those involved would like to extend their thanks to all who are helping but they do still need more help. If you can give an hour or two of your time, then please go down to the skate park at weekends from 12 midday or contact Rob on 853216.

The work needs to be completed by early August in order to be ready in time for the youth festival on the 11th August (more details to follow soon).

It really is a case of all hands on deck now, so please spare an hour or two if you can.

Thanks to Alison for sending through an update on what’s been happening down at the skate park.

Repairs are ongoing, albeit slowly. This Sunday there is a clear up session from 12midday, if anyone would like to help and digging of post holes.

The new fence will be the next to go up and then preparation of ground, before the ramp can be put back. After that the new flooring will laid. Work will be going on most Saturdays and Sundays from 12midday – contact Rob Chuter on 853216 if you can help in any way.

All the work is being carried out by volunteers from the StreetStyle group as well as other people. Money for materials, insurance etc is being raised in all sorts of ways. There is not money for contractors etc so it will take a couple of months before the initial work is completed and longer for all the plans to be finished.

If you’re looking for a good time this Saturday night, look no further than the back room of the Central.

Streetstyle will be hosting the most Mexican of fundraisers with their Tequila Slammer night.

Local DJs will be playing and there’ll be Mexican food, Tequila shots and fancy dress.

All proceeds will go to the refurbishment of Ventnor Skate Park.

Kicks off at 9pm and carries on into the small wee hours of 1am. £3 entrance.

As you probably already know, this year the White Air Extreme Sports Festival is moving from it’s regular slot of windy October to the warmer climes of August (27 Aug - 2 Sept).

Despite some local opposition to the date change, it has been approved and given the go-ahead. Which must be quite a relief for organiser Nigel Howell, who can now carry on pulling together the 11th festival that will host the biggest Windsurfing World Event ever held in the UK!

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News reaches us that Streetstyle have organised yet another fundraiser for the renovation of the Ventnor Skate ramp and will be hosting Tequila Slammer, a night of Mexican food, Tequila shots, fancy dress and music by local DJs.

There will be a prize for the best Mexican fancy dress costume and it’ll only cost you £3 to get in. All proceeds go towards the refurbishment of Ventnor Skate Park.

Hunt out that old sombrero you brought back from Spain (or Mexico if you were lucky enough) and save a space for the fajitas.

It’ll be kicking off at the back room of The Central on Saturday 19th May from 9pm (closing 1am).

We’d recommend that you steer clear of the bald, fat one in the hat.

Last Friday the skate ramp was finally dismantled. A rather large, bright red crane arrived in Ventnor, very slowly weaving it’s way down the cascade.

We hear that it had to keep reversing to maneuver the sharp bends of the cascade, but managed to eventually reach it’s destination next to the Skate Park.

Now the debris has been taken away, the ground can be levelled, ramp repaired and returned with new equipment and the new surface installed.

Apparently some people thought that the ramp was gone for good. Fear not, the work is all part of the StreetStyle project to repair and improve the facilities at the Skate Park.

Although the project has received some funding, more cash is needed for continuing maintenance, insurance etc, so another fundraiser is being held this coming Saturday (5th May) at The Rose in Pier Street.

Two live bands will be playing for your pleasure. Funkaholic, a new band with Dick Taylor who’ll be doing funk and blues covers, and joining them will be Ventnor favourites, Jacuna.

Starts at 8.30 and carries on till late. £2 before 10pm, £3 after (no entry after 11pm)

We hear from Alison and Rob, that last Saturday there was a hive of activity down at the Ventnor skate ramp, as the much needed repairs kicked off with the dismantling of the ramp.

The StreetStyle project secured a £10,000 grant back in March and an overhaul to the skate ramp was one of the projects high on the list for immediate action.

Work will be carried out every Saturday and Sunday until it’s completed and new fencing will be arriving next Tuesday.

The area to the right of the ramp will be paved and there is much interest and excitement amongst the new members of the group as it looks like there could be a possibility of them being involved in the design of some of the sections.

With Island skating heroes such as John Cattle heavily involved in the project, the new Ventnor skate park, looks sure to become one of the coolest hangouts on the Island.

But it doesn’t stop there. Although the project does have the £10k in their coffers, they will need more cash to support the work, so those busy bees have organised another fundraiser.

Taking place on Saturday 5th May, The Rose on Pier Street will play host to Funkaholic, a new band with Dick Taylor who’ll be doing funk and blues covers, and joining them will be old favourites, Jacuna (well they’re young actually, but you know what I mean).

Starts at 8.30 and carries on till late. Only £2 before 10pm or £3 after. All ticket sales will go towards the skate ramp.

The date for the Youth Festival has been booked in for Saturday 11th August. More details to follow as they come to us.

It was one year ago to the day that we last reported about the threat of closure to Niton Skate Ramp.

It appears, one year on that news is repeating itself after we received a request to highlight this issue on the blog.

Two or three years ago young people from Niton raised money for the skate ramp in Niton Recreation Ground. The police supported it financially, to give skateboarders a safer alternative to riding on the road.

It has been very popular and well used by young people in the village. NOW due to complaints by a minority, there is a risk of it being removed. If you think it should be retained please write a letter before the close of Thursday 26th April.

Here is an excerpt from one of the supporters letters …

The arguments against the skate ramp have been that it is creates unsociable and intolerable noise for the neighbouring residents and attracts underage drinkers and trouble from outside the village (although supporters say there is no evidence of this).

With regard to the noise, as one supporter of the ramp pointed out, the noise of bored kids could be far worse.

If you wish to add your comments (before close of business tomorrow) , write to

Customer Information Team
Seaclose Offices
Fairlee Rd
Newport
IOW

Email: development@iow.gov.uk

Quoting ref: Planning Application - TCP/15259/M, P/00465/07

You can also submit your comments online.

I’m not keen on just sticking out press releases on the blog, I usually like to take the contents and write it up in my own style, but today I’m too busy, so here’s a press release from the Ventnor Community Projects. It’s great news and we wish them all the best with the StreetStyle project.

Brilliant news from Ventnor Community Projects who have been successful in being awarded £10K from The Youth Opportunity Fund for new skate park equipment as part of their StreetStyle project.

This represents half of the total needed to bring the park up to scratch, which needs repairs to the existing ramp, new fencing and a barrier wall to offer better protection from the sea. StreetStyle, which has been formed by a group of teenagers and young adults as part of a Trans European project in ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP called Grundtvig 2, is run by Ventnor Community Projects in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council’s Arts Unit. In the short time that the project has been running the group are well advanced with plans to hold a summer Youth Festival in Ventnor.

This will involve skate boarding displays and competitions, demonstrations of Parkour (for the uninitiated this is the art of forward movement, running up and jumping of walls and much more), plus, live MCing/DJing, Battle of the Bands, Street Art, and supporting events. They are organising workshops in support of the Youth festival and have started running workshops for Internet MySpace and will be setting up a web site IOW StreetStyle. To complete this ambitious programme they have started video filming their activities and aim to produce a DVD which will be distributed throughout Europe as part of project.

Chairman of Ventnor Community Projects, Rob Chuter, is delighted with the progress the project is making. He said “It has taken a lot of planning to bring the Grundtvig project to Ventnor”

“A big thanks must go to Alison Knapman from IOW Arts Unit who has dedicated so much effort in co-ordinating the project with our European partners.” Rob also said that, “As the UK representative for this Tran European project in Active Citizenship and with the publicity this will get, it can only be of future benefit for Ventnor, hopefully attracting more European vistors to our town.”

The StreetStyle group have already started raising funds, £97 from one evening viewing of skating and parkour videos toward the additional £10K needed for building materials. The teenagers and young adults will be actively involved in helping in the rebuilding of the skate park. However, their skills are limited and there is a need for experienced tradesmen that can volunteer some time, particularly for block & brick laying. Contact Rob Chuter on 853216 if you can offer any assistance.

All this talk of skating reminded me of the skateboarding dog …. for anyone that didn’t see it the first time round …. here it is again.

[skating priests image courtesy of Get Religion Blog