A group of young skaters have organised a day of community celebration, skating and art at the Boyley Skatepark. All volunteers under 21, the Boyley Action Group has worked with Xtrax and gathered a series of sponsors to put together the Battle of Boyley Skatejam and an amazing day of activity on 13 May. All people are welcome, families, the young and old, skaters and non-skaters  there’s something for everyone. A kids’ jam will be held in the morning, to be followed by the main event in the afternoon. Delicious food and drink will be available on site.

Boyley Action Group are concerned for the future of the skatepark as, despite plans for further development and promises of maintenance, the space has been sidelined. Misunderstandings about how the park is and should be used often lead to neglect and create unnecessary tensions between users and local authorities. 

For example, it’s normal to graffiti skate bowls – it’s part of the point of having the skatepark. The artwork isn’t on someone’s house or business, or on a street wall, it’s on and in the skatepark, where people who paint it and like it spend their time. But council operatives responsible for cleaning graffiti have pressure washed the bowls so many times (to clean up the supposedly errant artwork) that their structure is starting to break, making it difficult or dangerous to skate in the skatepark. That’s not because of the graffiti, that’s because it was cleaned. And it only leads to higher maintenance costs and a potentially lengthy wait for maintenance to happen. On the day of the Skatejam, plasterboards will be provided so graffiti writers can work without causing offence.

The group are keen to develop the skatepark as a place where anyone is welcome to spend their time. They want to gather spare equipment and volunteers to enable people who haven’t skated before to take lessons and get involved. Young filmmakers and photographers often cut their teeth reporting on or documenting skaters and the surrounding culture. Artists can work freely. People can have a space to comfortably socialise and find and express their own identity. 

In a town that doesn’t offer much to its young people, you can see how important skating, BMX and art have become, as a source for culture, entertainment and meaning. The Source Park down on the seafront draws a huge amount of attention, money and business to the town. Boyley can do the same in a more organic setting, where young people can really build and organise their own space – and they’re choosing to do so in a way that is explicitly not exclusive.

The sponsors gathered for the event so far are: Stella Dore; Brewing Brothers; Grey Area Skate; 108 Tattoo Shop; Forty Two Skateshop; God Skateboarding; 7ply Skatestore; Not Porn; H Town Skates; Source Skate Co; Jammer Skates; and South Coast Skate Club CIC. The organisers wish to thank them all for their support and their generous donations of prizes to be handed out on the day. 

The Battle of Boyley, Boyley Skatepark, 13 May, from 10a.m. Entries on the day. Under 12s and Over 12s jams, street and bowl competitions, best trick jam. Food and refreshment available. All welcome.