PARISH COUNCILLORS were invited to look at the new skatebowl development in Dorchester as the guests of Maverick, the contractors. Five of them had a good look around in the pouring rain to see what has been going on in the shadow of Maumbury Rings.

Joining with chairman Joyce Rhodes were councillors Barry Thomas, Terrie Connor, Ron Arnold and myself. It was good to see how the process of building takes place. The development is hopefully due to open at Easter in spite of having to deal with the extremes of our winter which saw low temperatures, frost, snow and ice.

The parish council decided late last year to form a ‘steering’ sub-committee and this has been meeting on a regular basis. It includes representatives of the community as well as the young people who have been in the forefront of instigating the project in our village.

As well as looking at the planning considerations, this group also is seeking funding for the provision not only of a skatebowl but a MUGA and youth shelter. The site envisaged is part of the playing field site on Dick O’Th Banks Road.

After a tender process, the council agreed to appoint Maverick as their preferred contractor and now the company will be working closely with design and all the processes which need to be gone through before a digger starts the physical work.

The site visit gave an opportunity to see how the company take the plans and designs and actually build the concrete bowl. Unlike the designs for Crossways the Dorchester concrete bowls are mostly above ground level. By setting the bowl lower this will have the added advantage of absorbing the noise caused by skateboards, BMX bikes, model cars and so on.

It was fascinating to see the way that the metal framework is injected with concrete under high pressure and then sculpted by hand to give the smooth running surface which is required. The screening at Dorchester as at Crossways using grass banks to blend into the surrounding field.

All of us felt that with the imminent opening of the bowl in Dorchester the excitement and enthusiasm that this will no doubt generate will have a knock on effect in Crossways. The young people of Crossways have been very patient and understanding of the processes that this kind of scheme has to go through and worked very hard under the expert guidance of Kris Hallett the community development worker.

Even though the councillors managed to get rather damp it did not dampen their resolve to do whatever they can to deliver the enhancement of facilities in Crossways for the whole community.

  • COUNCILLORS have also been asked to consider a ‘wish list’ for the village of facilities and projects that could benefit if further housing was to be built as part of the Woodsford Fields estate. There has been much debate and discussion and consideration of the previous village questionnaires and surveys which have taken place.
  • AN ALLOTMENT society has been formed in the village and an every growing group of interested villagers are helping in the search for a suitable plot of land that could serve for this purpose. Regular meetings are being held and a committee and constitution formed. The inaugural get together drew a very large audience who gathered in the school to listen to Allan Cavill of the national society and allotment and leisure gardeners ltd. He gave practical advice on how to get started and plenty of hints and tips. Anyone interested in the society is welcome to contact secretary Liz Callister on 01305 852245.
  • FOR THE last couple of years several members of the community have opened their gardens in aid of the new church fund. This year the event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 5. The organisers desperately need volunteers to open their gardens for the afternoon.

Organisers Ruth Harvey and Ann Hunt have told me that perfection is not a requirement for you to put your garden in. You might like people to see changes you have made or are in the process of making. Please speak to Ruth on 01305 852526 or Ann on 853553 if you would like to know more.