Hi Ya'll..

Is there anyone kind of local out there? its good to hear ideas from outside the area.. and maybe connect with people locally.. although i think every one round here is connected pretty well since we bump into each other around the place at spots a lot..


'Taunton Plaza' ?

I've got word from the people doing the fund raising drive that a Plaza is looking to be the way forwards.. somehow the councillors knew about stoke already!? (but dont expect something on the scale of stoke!)

Some funds are in place and the land (its huge!) has already been allocated by the council so things are looking good!

i've also been hearing of a few new parks within a short drive.. a concrete one to the west at south molton (on towards barnstaple from tiverton which has a nice lil skate-lite park of its own that just had a large upgrade) . and another park out towards yeovil somewhere.. I'll be checking these out once the weather picks up.. directions/links would be appreciated.


'SV7 Scene Video'
A local skater/film maker just put out the 7th generation of our local scene vid. A few weeks ago there was a premiere on a big screen in a local club and there were about 120 people there. am eager to get my hands on a copy now!

It also got a mention in Sidewalk this month and they'll be getting a review copy once the DVDs are back from duplication. I've scanned the little section in sidewalk here >> http://www.apeskates.co.uk/sidewalkdec2005scan.jpg and it also got a mention in the local paper.

Things are already in motion for SV8.. there will possibly be a small preview up for download once there is enough footage.. expect in the spring time.


'SOS Store'

Something weird happened here in october. we've had a few 'surf' shops in the town selling boards n things for years.. but outside the odd skater working in these places casually they weren't really integrated with the scene and were kind of random what stock they got.. then up popped this shop 'ape skates' which took us all by surprise.. so i knocked on the door while it was still being worked on.. and found out the guy was a skater living locally.. but he wasn't known to us since he hadn't lived here for long.. he's now 'integrated' and the town has a much needed focal point/social place for skaters to meet and a shop to support. i think its changing the scene in a really good way. i've made a little site for him (for free) at http://www.apeskates.co.uk .. no internet order type stuff yet.. but once funds are available its on the cards. i plan to put some pics + info up on parks/spots etc when i've got time.. it'll be more than just a skate shop site..