Skateboarding fans will be pleased to know that the future of a special ramp in Ryedale, called a ‘Halfpipe’, is more secure now.
In the past people have travelled from far and wide to use it and there were fears that it would have to be closed. It’s already been fenced off.
Last night (Monday) town councillors in Norton backed a local campaign to refurbish it after a meeting which saw many people turn up to show their support.
Ryedale councillor Di Keal told David Dunning’s Late Show on YorkMix Radio that it was good that their councillors listened. You can hear the item on this link.
Di Keal said: “There was a great turnout at the meeting. About 30 people came along on a wet Monday evening in Norton, just to show the strength of feeling that there is in this community to save the Halfpipe.
“Fortunately, the council saw the sense of the arguments that were put forward. It’s going to become a great community project for Norton and Malton, with locals working with businesses and the campaigners to get the first stage of this project off the ground.
“Yes we’ve got a long way to go and we need to be able to work out how we’re going to fund some of the project. But it’s a real bonus for local people, particularly young skaters, to see the town council really believes that we can take this project forward.”
Staggering amount of support
Ryan Swain (Pictured on the left) was the local resident who led the campaign.
“When it came to a final vote eight out of 12 councillors backed us. I and the rest of the members of the campaign feel totally overwhelmed by the staggering amount of support that we’ve had not just in Malton and Norton but from all over the world too.”
Ryan says that he wants to put together a community committee, where experienced volunteers and supportive companies from around the area can get together to refurbish the facilities at the Skatepark.”
There is a lot of work to do but for now those who support the Halfpipe can congratulate themselves on a successful campaign which has gained much support.