A dedicated team worked together to help improve Ryde Skatepark recently.

Skatepark users, with the assistance of Island skate company Wight Trash and their not-for-profit skate club, raised £5,000 in a few short months and worked with Ryde Town Council on a temporary solution to make the site useable, while a long-term plan is mapped out.

Manager of Wight Trash, Zoe Thompson said: “It is really important that skate spaces don’t stand empty, so we worked with skatepark users and the town council to consider options.

"We suggested a DIY model which consists of creating hand built concrete obstacles. This would allow the space to continue to be interesting and enjoyable for users, whilst future plans are considered”.

Isle of Wight County Press: Work underway Work underway (Image: Ryde Town Council)

With match funding from the town council, a mainland team were selected and worked alongside locals to build up the skate space.

Wight Trash and Skate Club founder John Cattle said: “The mainland team all had really great experience in helping to build DIY parks across the country and abroad so we knew we were in good hands and were stoked that they came over to help.

"Several local companies also helped us out, with special thanks to Primedrive, Sydenhams, Jewson and Wight Building Materials.”

Ten local skaters also got involved, from ages 14 to 50-plus, volunteering their time.

Isle of Wight County Press: Rob Barry enjoying the obstaclesRob Barry enjoying the obstacles (Image: Ryde Town Council)

Skater Rob Barry said: “Volunteering to help build the new obstacles in Ryde skatepark has been a dream come true.

"Despite the biblical weather, long days (and sometimes nights) and the physical intensity of the work, every day was fun. I've learnt so much about the trade and made great friends along the way.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Skatepark helpers Alice Beckford, Zach Williams, Theo Hughes and Alistair GleesonSkatepark helpers Alice Beckford, Zach Williams, Theo Hughes and Alistair Gleeson (Image: Ryde Town Council)

Zoe said: “There has been so many benefits to this project, there was a real sense of community from everyone on site who always seemed to be smiling, but also people stopping to ask questions, bringing down drinks and food, and people from all over the UK commenting positively across our social media."

Ryde Mayor, Cllr Richard May, said the works completed were "nothing short of phenomenal" given the horrendous weather.

The park is open daily until dark each evening.