|  | Barton's a great place to live but not much fun if you're a teenager - there's nothing to do! That's according to brothers Karl and Mark Jolly and their friends Daniel Ashby and Sean McKill who, with the support of the parents, are making moves to get a skateboard park built in the Bedfordshire village of Barton Le Clay.  | | At the moment the teenagers have to skate in the street |
The boys have already approached their local council with a petition in support of the skate park and have received a favourable response, they've even earmarked a site for the park - part of the village's sports ground in Luton Road, however this would be subject to planning permission. Karl, aged 15, said; "There's absolutely nothing for teenagers to do in Barton. At the moment we have to skate in the roads around where we live - it's OK but obviously we have to watch out for cars and we probably do annoy the neighbours a bit!" Public Meeting The boys organised a public meeting at Barton Le Clay Village Hall giving local residents and supporters alike the opportunity to air their concerns and thoughts about the proposed skate park. In fact, so many people turned up for the meeting that they were all unable to safely fit into the Village Hall's Committee Room - the meeting eventually had to be reconvened in the Village Hall Foyer to accommodate everyone. The fears of local residents appeared to be allayed as the group's spokesperson, local resident Nancy Higgins, assured the villagers that the aim of the skatepark was not to be a nuisance, but something positive for the youth of the village which would be of benefit the whole community. The teenagers, who have the support of their MP Jonathan Sayeed and County Councillors Ian Shingler and Tony Northwood, explained how they planned to work closely together with both local skateboarders and skaters to make sure that the proposed skate park would be suitable for both sports. The meeting eventually drew to a close with the election of a Skate Park Committee comprising of both adults and teenagers.  | | Karl in action at the Flitwick Skate Park. |
As a Committee they will be in a better position to apply for youth grants to fund the project and to organise their own fundraising events in the village. "We were really surprised by how many people turned up at the meeting" said Daniel Ashby, "We want people to understand what we're trying to do in the village and just pleased so many came to the meeting to listen to us". "We're just trying to do something positive for the kids in Barton" said Mark Jolly, aged 14. 
| Ian, Florida | Tuesday, 21-Jun-2005 07:35:48 BST | | | I'm cuban and live in Florida US, I wish you guys get that you have fought for, soon and inspire others in my town to do so, I wish you the best in yer project.... Fight for it ! don't give up ever ! |
| Sarah, Welwyn Garden City | Sunday, 12-Jun-2005 16:27:06 BST | | | Thats a FANTASTIC idea. We need a park around W.G.C... you have given me an incentive to begin a petition possibly =D |
| ellie, watford | Thursday, 12-May-2005 12:57:24 BST | | | HOORAY FOR SKATE PARKS!!! |
| Kel 'n' Rach, Silsoe | Thursday, 07-Apr-2005 00:59:31 BST | | | yeh its a brill idea!!!!!!!! as we r both sk8rs in da makin we wuld love 2 c a skatepark in barton. we culd try out our new skateboards n show our moves off!! love ya x x x x x x x x x x |
| stevo with a sega like sur name, toddington | Sunday, 27-Mar-2005 18:11:19 BST | | | i think it would be a great idea for the skate park .... gives a place for the kool people to go .... |
| Elliot, Wootton | Tuesday, 29-Mar-2005 22:05:37 BST | | | I think its a great idea. Me and my friends do skatin and were trying to get our council to build a skate park in wootton. |
| a mum, Slip end, Luton | Saturday, 19-Mar-2005 19:50:58 GMT | | | We r also tring to get a sk8 park and it's about time the kids got something. Why els do we pay council tax, to make our towns safer and things for the pubilic to do. What have the kids got?, as long as these parks r not missed used and show respect to all who wish to have a go. Should be a peace of mind for all us parents to know where our kids r. Good to all the kids fighting for the sk8 parks all over the county. |
| hollie, newcastle | Friday, 04-Mar-2005 16:03:32 GMT | | | i think it is a great idea n should go ahead |
| Ross Lomath, borehamwood | Wednesday, 12-Jan-2005 23:02:25 GMT | | | yo man i know how it feels me and my mates have been trying to get a park built in our town for about 4 years now we got the planing Permission about 2 months ago but good luck to you lot and i hope you get it and stay with the sport and lets hope it becomes more accepted |
| Emma, St Albans | Monday, 13-Dec-2004 18:46:50 GMT | | | i think that it's a really cool idea as there is s*d all to do in herts beds and bucks. I also noticed that in a local newsletter i got recently there was something about putting a sk8 park in st albans as well, which would be tres cool. i would however hav to kearn how to skate. Slight draw back i think, but hey at least i wuld be sumthin to do. Good luck with ur sk8 park |
| timmy, hertford | Saturday, 11-Dec-2004 23:25:35 GMT | | | my mates dad works for the council and is trying to get us a skate park but east herts people don't want one: |
| Mia, San Francisco | Thursday, 11-Nov-2004 03:17:54 GMT | | | I'm from the US, and these guys recently put in a new skatepark in my town, so it's not impossible. Keep up the work! |
| katie , runcorn | Wednesday, 13-Oct-2004 10:41:40 BST | | | i reckon it is a g8 idea i live in runcorn and there is atleast 7 s8 ramps around hear so i reckon u should do what u have to do luv pot noodle xxxxxxx |
| Michael Frost, Leighton Buzzard | Tuesday, 12-Oct-2004 17:53:47 BST | | | quality idea we got are own skatepark a couple of years ago but it took a long time to convince people ill be there when it opens. |
| ricardo, flitwick | Wednesday, 15-Sep-2004 20:52:20 BST | | | it wuld be a great idea and give everyone something to do |
| marc buckingham, flitwick | Saturday, 18-Sep-2004 21:15:42 BST | | | i thinks its a gerat idea its better den skating in der streets and u will get more people cumming 2 barton it worked in flitwick so it will work in barton |
| Duncan W, Harlington | Sunday, 20-Jun-2004 10:39:53 BST | | | As long as this skatepark is designed well and by the skaters it will be good! keep it up lads! |
| Chaz, Chesham | Monday, 14-Jun-2004 21:19:48 BST | | | its a greeat idea iff its a good park youll get people from everywere down there. try and get a proper skate park designer to design and build it. |
| Emma n Laura, Flitwik n Maulden | Wednesday, 02-Jun-2004 13:32:34 BST | | | we tink dis is a 'lush' ider n we agree wid dan n karl! dere is no reason y barton shouldnt ava skate park n it will keep everyone appy! we seen da recordin tingy n its well gd. gd luk u 3! |
| CW, Luton | Monday, 17-May-2004 15:44:26 BST | | | I dont think i need to say much considering that every single post on this page is agreeing with the plans of the skatepark. It's a great idea and theres absolutely no reason not to have one. Good luck to them. |
| warren, flitwick | Tuesday, 13-Apr-2004 20:59:53 BST | | | amazin idea!!!!!!! |
| bud, st.albans | Thursday, 25-Mar-2004 10:33:10 GMT | | | dat is a great idea like in st.albans i used to skat but ive stopped now but its really annoyin wen theres no where to skate with out getting chucked out or annoying people |
| Paul, Flitwick | Wednesday, 24-Mar-2004 13:50:42 GMT | | | This is a lush idea and will work for sure. It worked well in flitwick and there is no reason why it wont in barton. |
| Abs, Luton | Wednesday, 17-Mar-2004 19:20:39 GMT | | | I think the s8 park is a gr8 idea and should deffinatly go ahead. Keep up the good work boys!!! |
| PMO, Barton | Friday, 05-Mar-2004 11:14:27 GMT | | | The sk8t park is a gr8t idea we need one. flitwick is good but too far away!! |
| Jem , Kate and Sarah , Barton , Silsoe and Toddington | Thursday, 04-Mar-2004 11:16:48 GMT | | | Great idea , people of barton listen to them it would improve the area and give teenagers something worth while to do , flitwick skate park is a great success and barton will be as well , Good luck dan , mark and karl ( get well soon !) xxx |
| Tom.W | Thursday, 04-Mar-2004 10:06:17 GMT | | | It's a great idea why not! Its better than skating on streets! |
| Andy, Barton | Thursday, 04-Mar-2004 10:04:16 GMT | | | I think the sk8 park is a gr8 idea...... theres nuffin 2 do in barton and especially no where 2 sk8. go me |
| Ian , Barton | Thursday, 04-Mar-2004 09:43:32 GMT | | | I think the skatepark is a great idea. i have seen many othere skateparks near by that have been a great sucess. I think a skatepark is exactly what barton needs. go ahead with it. |
| stephanieeeeeeeeee, Harlington | Wednesday, 03-Mar-2004 21:06:43 GMT | | | i think the skate park is a good idea. the one in flitwick was very popular but it is hard 4 ppl in barton to get dwn there so they need one closer to home. it would boost all the boys confidents by showing off to the girls - that rite claire ;);)lol hope it goes well mark, karl * daniel good luck |
| Jel, Toddington | Wednesday, 03-Mar-2004 20:22:37 GMT | | | This shuld deff go ahed cos even people from surrounding villages will benefit from the sk8 park. it will give loads of kids summin 2 do and keep em of the streets.i think its a great idea!! |
| Mike, Watford | Wednesday, 03-Mar-2004 19:17:15 GMT | | | Why not? If they sk8 on the streets they've got the whole thing about being run over, surly if a sk8park is built then you won't have that thought hanging over you, and it's a pretty kool thing anyway Barton needs some livenin up!! ;-) |
| Karl , Barton-le-Clay | Wednesday, 03-Mar-2004 15:35:15 GMT | | | I think that the skatepark would be one of the best things to ever happen in Barton for teenagers. At the moment there is nothing to do and a skatepark would provide a perfect facility. Everyone keep up the good work. |
| Mental S8ter, Flitwick | Wednesday, 03-Mar-2004 12:24:37 GMT | | | i think the sk8 park will be a grf8 idaer - i hope they get one |
| james warren, flitwick | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 15:09:38 GMT | | | Its worked in flitwick very well, why cant it work in other places as well? Teenagers and older people would benefit from this brilliant idea. |
| Andy, Greenfield | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 12:28:53 GMT | | | great idea it should definitely go ahead,it would be widly used and many teenagers would benefit! |
| Tom A, FLITTON | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 11:01:42 GMT | | | i think u should build a skate park cos its goin be the best idea that any council well do |
| Ed, Harlington | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 08:42:09 GMT | | | i think a skate park we be lush because there is very little to do in barton and lots of people would benefit from eat, even older people! |
| Alan T, Silsoe | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 08:42:09 GMT | | | A skate park would be really good for teenagers because it gives us lot something to do because there is nothing to do in barton. |
| Martin Jones , Barton-le-Clay | Tuesday, 02-Mar-2004 08:40:51 GMT | | | I have lived in Barton Le Clay for some forty years and have seen the village change and grow over this time. As a parent of two children, I went to the public meeting last night with an open mind to find out what the proposals for this skate park were. I would like to say how impressed I was with the way in which the young people of the village conducted themselves, they were well mannered and addressed the concerns of local residents clearly and sensibly. I would like to wish the teenagers and their parents every success in this venture and also congratulate them on taking the initiative to do something positive for Barton and the surrounding villages. Well done. |
| Daniel Ashby, Barton-le-clay | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 21:36:51 GMT | | | i think that the skatepark is a great idea as it will give us something to do in our village. people are moaning because we hang around the streets but if we had a skate park it wud give us a place to skate and have fun and also keep us fit. skating is a great hobbie and having a skate park built in our own village wud be great. |
| nik bryant, barton le clay | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 18:36:36 GMT | | | i think the whole idea rocks cuz people are always moaning about us hanging around on streets and the skate park would give us a place to go and enjoy ourselves without causing disturbance. The park wont be near any houses either! |
| Sam Chapman, Barton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 18:12:12 GMT | | | I think the skatepark would be a great idea because the village is lacking in facillities for the teenagers. i know that many people would use the skatepark so it is a great idea. |
| Jess , Barton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 18:14:40 GMT | | | i think it would be a great idea to have a skatepark in barton as theres nothing for teenagers to do. lots of people would use it i think. i think barton needs somthing like this and i hope we get one :) |
| Alex Larkin, barton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 15:44:47 GMT | | | i think a skate part would be great for the whole village and neighbouring villages because it will give teenagers some thing to do in the holidays and all the way through the year - so go ahead and build it !! |
| Sean Healy, Barton-le-clay | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 15:41:28 GMT | | | Hi im writing to say that a skate park in barton would be an excellent idea. As a sk8a myself, i know that a lot of teenagers in the local area would use it. |
| Mark , Barton- Le-Clay | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 15:35:31 GMT | | | I think the skatepark would be a great idea because Barton needs something for the teenagers to do. Please help us. It is a great idea!!!!!!!!! |
| Sean McKill, Barton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 15:27:28 GMT | | | well obviously im for it cous im involved in it - but anyone thinking its a bad idea should consider that most of the problems (e.g boys roaming the streets etc.) do it because they have nothing better to do, but if the skate park gets built a lot less people will be on the streets with nothing to do. |
| Adam, Luton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 12:57:44 GMT | | | Personally I think it's a great - as a skater there are limitations on where you can go around Luton and the surrounding areas I wish these boys the best of luck in their plans. |
| jim t, harlington | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 11:13:29 GMT | | | i think it would be good for the overall community. its a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| monica cafe, barton | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 11:13:29 GMT | | | its going to be great i hope it goes ahead because the youth of today need someting to do! |
| Claire , Barton - Le-Clay | Monday, 01-Mar-2004 11:36:41 GMT | | | i think the skate park is a great idea and should definitely go ahead! there is nothing to do in barton and this would give loads of people something to do and watch. So many people would benefit from the skate park, and i really hope we get one! |
| Craig , Pulloxhill | Wednesday, 24-Mar-2004 13:50:42 GMT | | | barton skatepark is a great idea and definatly should be built!!! |
| thomas lewey , westoning | Wednesday, 24-Mar-2004 13:50:42 GMT | | | i think the would be one of the best things in barton it will keep the kids of the street man |
| Paul, Flitwick | Wednesday, 24-Mar-2004 13:50:42 GMT | | | This is a lush idea and will work for sure. It worked well in flitwick and there is no reason why it wont in barton. |
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