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2003
Skatejammin' Stoke-style | |
|  | | Now where did that board go? |
| | If you think a skatejam is a slow moving line of skates, then shame on you!
Mark Shenton of the SAS (Stoke-on-Trent Association of Skateboarders!), who is leading a campaign to build a local skate park, tells us more... |
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| |  We started doing jams at Fenton Manor in Stoke on Trent on the back of two extremely successful skate festivals (featuring skating, bands, DJ's, graffiti artists, b-boys, stalls etc.) held in Hanley Park in 2001 and 2002. The problem being that we got rained off for both!! Even though the crowds exceeded 300 and the fests were great, we were put off, by the weather, on doing more.
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Hence contacting places like Fenton Manor, where we held the eighth annual jam this year.
We put the idea to them about having regular, indoor, skate jams on. They were very supportive and gave us the go ahead. After getting 100+ for the first one and now getting 300-400, I'm sure they are pleased they took a gamble on us!?!
What's the point?
The whole point of doing the festivals and now the jams is to keep the skate scene in Stoke very much alive and united. Also to get the council to sit up and notice the demand for our aim - a concrete skate facility in our area.
Our concept and idea is to have a very 'street' orientated skate park built... instead of having the usual, standard skateparks that are popping up all over the country, that get built, then skated on for a short period of time, then deserted as the skaters go back to their street spots again.
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We want street spots built in a designated area, out of the way of traffic and pedestrians but with the feel of an urban environment.
Not only would it be a perfect spot for skating but a great place for young, like-minded people to congregate, mix and have fun!
Cash
We have already been successful in getting a sponsorship from a local telecommunications company, for £100,000, for our skatepark project and are, at the moment, in talks with the council in getting the rest of the funds to make our idea possible.
A site at Hanley Central Forest Park has been talked about, so, all being well, we will be successful.
All this and more info about our regular skatejams can be found on the website,that is dedicated to the skateboard scene in and around Stoke-on-Trent. See Sketchy Skateboarding" 
Jams usually run from 12.00 noon to 7pm.
It is £4 to skate all day and £3 for spectators, with £1 of every person's admission to go towards the funding of new obstacles, repairs of the stuff we have and towards our skatepark campaign!
A "best trick comp" is usually judged between 3pm and 4pm. Anything goes- who dares wins!!!!! | | | |
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