Hundreds attend opening of new skate park

Professional skaters on hand to show what is capable on the ramps of the new skate park

NEWBURY's new skate park was officially opened yesterday (Sunday) to the delight of young and not-so-young skateboarders and BMXers who came from far and wide to enjoy the new facility.

Expert skaters, including a former British champion skater, were also on hand in Victoria Park to show off their gnarly tricks before handing the park over to skaters from the local area.

Several hundred onlookers were present to enjoy the launch of the new £200,000 skate park, the tricks exhibitions and the music.

The mayor of Newbury, Jeff Beck, officially cut the ribbon and declared the park open and the deputy junior mayor of Newbury, Amy Graham, received rapturous applause when she announced: “This is a fantastic facility and I'm really quite amazed that we have such great talent in Newbury.”

Her sentiments were echoed by former British skateboard champion, Chris Oliver, who performed his skills on the day and said: “It is amazing to see so many young people enjoying it. This is a great facility, one of the best in the area.”

For more on this story, and more pictures, pick up a copy of this week's Newbury Weekly News.