A NEW skate park was unveiled to the public for the first time in Fairford at the weekend.

Dozens of families and friends gathered at the Walnut Tree Field in Fairford to watch town mayor Vicky Lipscombe-Kettell and the 2022 young ambassador Monty Morris cut the ribbon at a short but sweet opening ceremony on Sunday, August 6. 

Town crier Andrew Stopka also gave a few words and bell rings to commemorate the occasion. 

He commented on how this exciting project has been five years in the making. 

After the ribbon cutting, staff from Swindon-based sporting goods shop ATBShop hosted three-hours of music and skateboard and scooter tuition.

Young riders got the chance to try out new scooters and skateboards and learnt how to use them properly from professionals.

There was also an array of games and competitions as well as prizes, giveaways and goodies.

The new skate park – built by Gravity Limited – encompasses low and high level ramps and platforms and quarter pipes for people of all ages and abilities to learn to skateboard and scooter on.

This project was made possible by the Fairford Town Council's Crowdfund Cotswold campaign which raised £103,248.

Over the past year, the existing skate ramp has been removed, foundations have been prepared and the new skatepark has been instated.

Lights have also been installed around the area. 

On the Crowdfund Cotswold campaign a spokesperson for Fairford Town Council said: "We want to create a skate park in Fairford that encourages skate-boarders and scooter riders of all abilities to enjoy skating, learn from each other, and get outside and play.

"We hope that this skate park will bring joy to those who use it.

"We hope that it will encourage children of all ages to get outside and get fit, play together and learn together.

"There are so many benefits to skateboarding.

"For example, skateboarding improves hand, eye, leg and feet coordination.

"Also it provides an avenue to relieve some of those stresses or frustrations and requires an immense amount of patience."

To find out more about the crowdfunding campaign visit tinyurl.com/5xs4kuaz