To celebrate the official opening of the new drinking fountain, Monmouth Off Street Project are holding a ’Skate Jam’ at Monmouth Skatepark on Sunday September 26.

Fundraising for the drinking fountain has taken nearly four years, and just as they had purchased the fountain following generous local donations, and a grant from the Lottery Community Fund, along came COVID-19 which closed the park for a period of time.

And it was then decided not to install it until the risks lessoned.

Guests and local dignitaries who have supported the Skatepark since it was built, and those who have helped with the drinking fountain will gather at 1pm for the official opening and cutting of the red ribbon.

CSO Joe Facchiano from Gwent Police came up with the idea after seeing the young people getting very dehydrated after riding their skateboards/scooters for several hours, and then going off to buy unhealthy drinks in single use plastic bottles. Litter was becoming an issue, and so his suggestion that a drinking fountain was the best idea to combat several of concerns, was taken on board by the MOSP committee, and have successfully delivered the project.

The Skatejam competitions start at 12 noon and will be open to skateboards/scooters/BMX’s and all other riders, and is being organised by Russ Heideman, who designed Monmouth Skatepark along with other young people.

The format of the ’Jam’ is that each rider is given one minute to use the whole of the park to show their skills, and are marked on: flow around the park, difficulty of tricks and style.

Competitors are required to wear safety equipment, including a helmet and will be charged just a £1 to enter to help raise money for MOSP.

There will be food, icecream and stalls available, and MOSP have produced new t’shirts just for the day, and these will also be on sale. This will be a real family day out.