BACK in 1992 when I (as mayor of the town) formed the first of many successive committees that I chaired to have a skatepark built in Haverfordwest, the majority of members of the then Pembrokeshire District and later the County Council, blocked every approach, claiming that skateboarding (still in its infancy at the time) was an undesirable activity for any respectable town.

Whilst credit must be recorded to the parents who laboured over many years, eventually only dropping out of committee work due to their own children growing up and leaving home or becoming frustrated with a unforgiving local government system, the real kudos must be accorded to the current Haverfordwest Skatepark Association (HSA), who despite massive resistance willingly gave their free time and dedication over a decade of fortnightly ‘working party’ meetings.

This Saturday, July 23, at 12 noon, the HSA are to stage the second annual ‘Skate Jam’ which will celebrate the event becoming one of the biggest skate jamborees in Wales, if not the country.

Whilst I know the success of last year’s first Jam will attract huge support this year, I cordially invite all ‘yesteryear critics and sceptics’ to visit this truly spectacular event and to witness, for themselves some gravity defying skills performed by not only visiting professionals, but also by Pembrokeshire children and youth.

They dedicate themselves to keeping fit, developing sporting skills and enjoying social contact with like-minded enthusiasts who, with the exception of one or two, are the most polite, well mannered and caring youngsters that anyone could wish to meet.

Over the years, successive skateboarders have grown up and gone on to higher education and become useful citizens, not bad for ‘that lot!’ who until the skatepark was built, used the Salutation Square war memorial and the back of the County Hotel, to skate on.

Getting the kids off the streets gives cause for celebration.

Congratulations to the HSA; and best wishes to the Haverfordwest Festival week celebrations from Saturday, July 23-30.

MIKE DAVIES

Haverfordwest