Silloth BMX Kids are Jumping for Joy
Young bike riders are literally jumping for joy after a new BMX track at Silloth was officially unveiled on Saturday.
Around 50 young people and 150 adults attended the opening of the new track, which is the latest phase of a £1.4 million renovation project at Silloth Green.
Young people played a leading role in the design of the track, which has a series of jumps and other features for riders of all abilities. After helping the Mayor of Allerdale, Councillor Bill Bacon, and Cumbria county councillor Tony Markley, who is the local member for Silloth and also the town’s Mayor, to cut a ribbon to mark the opening, the riders could not wait to try out the new track.
The Clan, a team of professional BMX riders, performed an exciting display of stunt skills at the opening and later shared hints and tips with young enthusiasts.
The 125 metres-long BMX track is the latest phase of an ambitious project to transform the historic Green, which has already seen improvements including restoration of the Pagoda and Edwardian public toilets as well as a new water play ‘splash pad’, an events area, adventure play area, a putting green and new park furniture.
Silloth Town Council Mayor, Tony Markley ,said: “It was brilliant to see so many young people turn out for the official opening on Saturday. The new BMX track is a fantastic new facility for Silloth and I’m sure it will be hugely popular.”
Councillor Stuart Graham, Deputy Mayor of Silloth Town Council, said: “The BMX track is a great community asset and a wonderful addition to all the renovation work that has been carried out on the Green. We have worked closely with young people on this project and, judging by all the smiling faces at Saturday’s opening, I think they’re really pleased with the results.”
ITV Border TV filmed the event and interviewed several of the youngsters who had instigated the build as well as Councillors Markley and Graham.
• Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) awarded £1.1million from their joint Parks for People scheme to the Green in Silloth-on-Solway and £100,000 has also come from the Rural Development Programme for England.