#LoveSaltash Issue 1 Love Saltash Issue 1 | Page 6

HATS OFF TO...

JUNKYARD SKATEPARK
HOW DO YOU
GET FROM THIS...

Martyn and Steph Tambling’s Junkyard
Skatepark is an impressive community asset,
which opened to the public on 24 November. It
is designed to be a positive space for everyone
– children developing ‘wheeled sports’ skills,
teenagers looking for a safe activity-based
space to hang out, to adults of all abilities who
want to be active, have fun and socialise at the
same time.
So what does it take to get a project like this off
the ground? A heap of vision, hard work, and
sheer determination, as well as inspiring others
to get involved, is a crucial part of the journey
from dream to reality. From the use of the unit
up at Brunel Road to generous offers of time,
skills and materials from a wide range of local
people… All of this has made it possible to build
an amazing physical ramp-based landscape from
what was an empty industrial unit.

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TO
THIS...

Junkyard looks like it just appeared from
nowhere in eight weeks, but before the
build, there were (not surprisingly) six years
of planning. Steph recently looked back at
drawings from years ago on scraps of paper, and
it made her realise the scale of the achievement
and reflect on the journey to get there.
Fun home-based fundraising events (which
included ladies’ pamper days and pro-bikers
racing round houses on children’s bikes) were
followed by a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Martyn is a celebrated pro-BMXer and Team
Manager for bike company Verde – support
from these circles, including donations of wood
and ramp structures, has been forthcoming
and invaluable. Steph’s background as a youth
worker and vocal coach for organisations like
Livewire has also been an integral part of the
project and its success.

TO
THIS...

Friends and family, in diverse ways, have helped
to form Junkyard, and Steph says how great it's
been to show their young children that if you’ve
got a dream, then go for it!
BM: So Steph, how time-consuming has this
been?
Steph: All the lads in the scene that Martyn
knows have been full-on working at this – we’ve
had so much help, even people who work
full-time coming here every spare minute. The
response we’ve had, and the help from the
community, has been amazing. All the people
getting involved because they can see the
potential, and our efforts – not just friends and
family, but random people just coming forward
and saying they want to help. We’ve been quite
overwhelmed by all the support – we had a big
thank you party!

?
BM: How have you encouraged the family
atmosphere?
Steph: It’s the cleanest skatepark ever – it’s got
cushions and pictures and everything! Parents
bringing children need to feel comfortable while
they have a coffee. Martyn’s designed it to use
very single inch of space in the unit – we want it
to be the place you go and hang out, not just for
the riders or skaters.
BM: What’s the response been so far?
Steph: Brilliant, lots of bookings – for sessions,
but also a lot for private hire from far afield
too. We really want to encourage loads more
Saltash people of all ages to get involved.
To find out the latest info on session, times
and latest developments, check the website
junkyardskatepark.com and keep an eye on our
Facebook page.

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