Parkour space up and running

The new “parkour” space on the Field Lane estate will allow youngsters to put their agility to test in a safe environment.

The idea came from the FLARA (Field Lane All Residents Association) after consultation with the community following incidents of anti-social behaviour around the local shops.

And the group are to receive a Duke Of York Community Initiative Award from Prince Andrew in the New Year.

Andrea Bloom, Chair of FLARA, said: “We wanted something for the children of the estate, somewhere they could conRogregate, chill out and have fun.

“It’s been very well-used already and we hope that continues. I’d just like to say thanks to our funders for helping to make this happen.”

Parkour is a training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training. Practitioners aim to get from one point to another in a complex environment, without assistive equipment and in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

Described by Initiative assessors as “a fantastic example of how a community can come together and make a significant difference to the daily lives of people in a neighbourhood” the project sets about tackling anything and everything such as anti-social behaviour.

Newground Together and Pennine Housing 2000, both members of the Together Housing Group, put in almost half of the cost with the Community Safety Fund (Police & Crime Commissioner), Efficiency North, Community Foundation for Calderdale and the SITA Trust providing the rest.

Peter Jordan, Executive Director of Newground Together Charity, said: “The group put forward a fantastic proposal and we were very happy to provide funding.

“The project is an innovative use of the space, providing exhilarating and modern equipment to help tackle an issue on the estate.”