The Trick Factory, Bridport. Its future is once again up in the air.

Editor’s Introduction: The Trick Factory in Bridport is Dorset’s only indoor facility for skateboarders and BMXers.

It was threatened with demolition late 2009-early 2010, as part of multi-million pound plans to redevelop Bridport’s South West Quadrant drawn up by landowners Haywards and West Dorset District Council.

The Trick Factory was spared following a vigorous campaign, and following the rejection of those joint plans.

New SW Quadrant proposals - previewed by Haywards (now acting alone) just before Christmas 2010 – still suggest demolishing the Stover Building that’s currently used by The Trick Factory – but crucially, this time round, they also suggest providing a new purpose-built arena. (“The Trick Factory is recognised to be a well-used and valuable facility,” said Haywards’ display)

However, the open letter just sent out on Facebook by The Trick Factory’s boss Robert Ridge does raise the question of whether the indoor park has had its day, if, as he says, it lost around £3,000 in 2010 and is now used by fewer than 10 local people.

Rob’s letter is below. Please read on…  

Money lost – around £3,000

THIS OPEN LETTER is intended to share a predicament, suggest a course of action and incite some feedback.

Put bluntly, The Trick Factory in 2010 has lost a lot of money, more than any previous year.

I don’t know the exact figure but it’s around 3K.

The reason for this is lack of support.

Either from would be sponsors, contributors or simply people attending the facility, either to use and/or help at the premises.

Paradoxically the number of local users in recent times doesn’t even amount to double figures, much to the dismay of myself and the disbelief of those that travel to use The Trick Factory.

For many years I have joked that my accounting skills amount to the general realisation that running The Trick Factory doesn’t allow me to drive around in a Ferrari but it didn’t prevent me from going hungry either so things trundled along.

Another paradoxical affair is the positive aspect (in one way) of the increased number of outdoor facilities that have sprung up across the land in recent years.

Few users

It’s good on the one hand they now exist but in the summer months The Trick Factory now gets very few attending users.

It’s a horrible sinking feeling knowing the monthly overheads amount to around £875 and halfway through a summer month the takings amount to less than £200.

Of course some off-setting can be factored into the mix, in so much as more money is taken in the winter months, but it no longer gets close to breaking even.

I am suggesting and intending to reduce the amount of the area we pay rent for in the building and this will happen at the end of March or April 2011.

The provisional plan is to lower the bowl to floor level, where it will be reduced from 5ft deep/high to 4ft. The foot print of the bowl will be floored over with transitions/flatbanks going against what is presently the bowl vert wall and the same or similar on an opposite wall that will be put up roughly where the spine/volcano sit. This set up would still allow up to 3 people to ride/skate simultaneously. It would also be interesting to see a fresh configuration in the building and to use a smaller space as effectively as can be.

Problems

BUT, there are other factors that may cause problems.

How will the landlords react to this?

What are the implications of the new proposed plans for the redevelopment of the St Michael’s Trading Estate?

How long do we have in the building we presently occupy?

How many people who say they are going to help morph The Trick Factory will ACTUALLY physically help?

Awaiting to hear from people, nothing yet is set but stuff needs to happen…

Click here to read comments on this letter.

People are invited to view landowners Haywards’ latest proposals for the St Michael’s Trading Estate area in the Red Brick Café between about 11am and 2pm.

Haywards’ last scheme – for a mix of 175 new homes and commercial “regeneration” opportunities – was intensely controversial. It would have had a bigger effect on Bridport than any development since the 1970s.

The South West Quadrant of Bridport is the old quarter of town roughly bounded by the River Brit to the west, West Street to the north, South Street to the east and St Mary’s church to the south. Precise definitions vary.

Despite Haywards working in partnership over several years with West Dorset District Council, and making joint planning applications with the council, district councillors twice turned their proposals down.

Last year, Haywards decided to appeal.

Not one person wrote to the Planning Inspectorate to support them, and two strong campaigns of opposition were mounted.

One fight was led by artists, who feared ejection from St Michael’s Studios and the ruination of what has become known as Bridport’s artistic quarter.

The Trick Factory, Bridport. Will its future be up in the air again?

Another was led by users and supporters of the Trick Factory, Dorset’s only indoor skate park. This facility – which is particularly popular with teenage boys – would have been demolished.

Earlier this year, Haywards were ignominiously refused permission to go ahead with their appeal.

After that costly disaster, Norman Hayward spoke exclusively to Danielle Hoffman of the Western Gazette, whose whole piece is still well worth reading.

Mr Hayward suggested that he would try again.

He said: “It is the most important site in Bridport and something needs to be done for it.”

He went on: “The artists were never going to be moved, they are my own tenants and we have helped them out over the years. The area is special to Bridport, and the intention has always been to work with the town not against it.”

And he concluded: “I am hoping that next time round people will see the bigger picture and see that the whole site needs money spent on it.”

Well, “next time round” now seems to be upon us.

Artist Kit Glaisyer blogged in October: “recently there have been some indications that developers are once again eyeing up Bridport’s historic St Michael’s Trading Estate, in the hope they can get mixed-use planning permission (it’s currently just light industry), cash in and convert it into Poundbury mk.2, despite the fact that it is now home to a thriving Arts and Vintage district.

“What these misguided architects, developers and Councillors don’t appreciate or understand is that the majority of people love this untouched part of town just the way it is, and certainly don’t want it to be ‘gentrified’.

“The other key concern is that if the new development plan is anything like the last one, then it will turf out dozens of small businesses – that rely on low rents – and replace them with units that only solicitors, accountants and estate agents will be able to afford.”

West Dorset District Council appears not to have been involved with Haywards’ latest proposals. The council owns the bus station part of the South West Quadrant, which is looking smarter than it was a year ago. Even the shop there has reopened. 

Editor’s Note: It will be fascinating to see what the new plans propose, and to what degree Haywards try to “work with the town”. It’s imposible to believe that there won’t be some changes.

Last time round, for example, it’s extraordinary to think that the Trick Factory wasn’t even referred to. Its destruction was just casually assumed to be something that no one important would care about.

Can there be any other reason for the fact that it wasn’t even mentioned? It was certainly a wrong assumption.

I was talking to Kit Glaisyer the other day about what might happen to St Michael’s Trading Estate and the South West Quadrant. One significant point is that the area seems to have got busier and more popular over the last year, with the growth (for example) of the vintage markets.

In other words, there is even more at stake than there used to be.

One final point for now, on the cost of previous attempts to redevelop the South West Quadrant. The Bridport News established that West Dorset District Council spent £170,000 on quadrant plan fees between 2007 and 2009. Council solicitor David Wignall refused to reveal how much Haywards spent. But Norman Hayward told the Western Gazette that he’d agreed a 70-30 split with the council. So if West Dorset spent £170,000 (30%), did Haywards spend approximately £390,000 (70%)?

The Trick Factory on St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport has seen countless risky moves tried out, but probably none that can really compare with chucking yourself off the side of the Himalayas with only a nylon wing to hang onto.

The Birdman of the Karakoram will be introduced by West Dorset birdman Eddie Colfox, whom many people will have seen over the years gliding like a buzzard around places like Eggardon Hill. At the end of the screening on March 23, Mr Colfox will also take questions.

The movie focuses on some of the paragliding and film-making exploits of John Silvester and Alun Hughes and other Himalayan paragliding explorers like Mr Colfox, who quotes one reviewer thus:

“Ready yourself to be thrown into the heart of a terrifying world of extreme altitude flying that few humans will ever experience.

“On the razor sharp cutting edge of adventure paragliding, The Birdman of the Karakoram takes you from armchair to the most extreme flying location on earth, when high altitude paragliding pioneer John Silvester takes Alun Hughes on the tandem flight to end all tandem flights.

“Supported by nothing more than a ten kilo nylon wing and John’s uncanny paragliding skills, the pair commit themselves deep into a remote and hypoxic world of snow, ice and previously unexplored terrain, where flying to survive becomes the name of the game.

“The Birdman of the Karakoram demolishes any ideas you may have had about paragliding being about serenely floating around the sky.”

It won the 2009 Best Film on Human Adventure award at St Hilaire, the largest flying film festival.

A clip can be seen by clicking on this link

As well as raising funds for the Trick Factory, the screening should also help the people of Hunza in Pakistan, a tribal area in the High Karakoram.

Mr Colfox says they “have recently had a landslide block off their communication link and also trap 87m of glacial meltwater in a dam which when/ if it breaks will flood their town. Twenty people have already been killed and much farmland has also been lost.”

Tickets cost £10 (£6 concessions) and can be booked by calling 01308-428354 between 9.30am and 4.30pm weekdays. Or you could pop in to the Electric Palace box office in South Street, Bridport.

“The bars will be open throughout!” says Mr Colfox.

And he adds, finally: “If anyone knows anyone who might commission our next adventure, please come or bring them along.”

SO, AS looked increasingly likely all morning, the planning inquiry into Bridport’s biggest development scheme for 30 years was stopped before it ever got properly going.

Late on in the afternoon, planning inspector Simon Rawle decided that landowners Haywards did not have the right to appeal against West Dorset district councillors’ refusal to allow them to redevelop St Michael’s Trading Estate and South West Quadrant land surrounding it.

In very simplified terms, the reason given was that links between West Dorset District Council and Haywards meant that an appeal could not be heard without breaching planning regulations.

The cost of the now-aborted appeal is estimated to be nearly £10,000. Work on failed planning applications may have cost more than £300,000.   

Peter Atfield, a consultant to Haywards, asked for his reaction to the squashing of the appeal, said: “It’s nothing printable.”  He added that something would still have to be done about the state of St Michael’s trading estate, as it could not be allowed to continue as it was. 

St Michael's Trading Estate: Improvements are needed

Bridport-based district councillor David Tett, a consistent supporter of regeneration plans for the South West Quadrant, said: “I am very disappointed. It’s put the whole process back several years to the detriment of the town and townspeople.”

He thought it was a shame that arguments for and against Haywards’ proposals did not get fully aired.

“To disallow the appeal just because of legal arguments – that doesn’t help anyone,” he said. Asked about what might happen in future, he replied: “I fear the worst.”

Artists who led the fight against what was planned said they too were “disappointed” not to be given a chance to put arguments with months of work and masses of conviction behind them. “We would have creamed it,” said Andrew Leppard.

But Mr Leppard also said that he felt sorry at the way things had turned out for Norman Hayward, whose family was noticeably angered by today’s unexpected turn of events.

Mr Leppard added: “I think  the whole community now has to work with Haywards and the district council to come up with a more community-based approach, to increase the economy, the activity and the value of the land.” 

(Lunchtime write-up)

ABOUT 40 people turned up this morning for the start of the appeal into Bridport’s historic South West Quadrant, which includes St Michael’s Trading Estate.

They heard more than two hours of abstruse but often intellectually exciting debate about whether the planning inquiry – scheduled to last at the Park Dean Holiday Park in West Bay until Friday – should be allowed to proceed.

South West Quadrant appeal documents for perusal at holiday park in West Bay

Landowners Haywards are appealing against West Dorset district councillors’ refusal to grant permission for redevelopment work including 175 new homes, and revamped business opportunities.

Haywards twice applied for permission for this scheme with West Dorset District Council (WDDC) , and it is the terms and repurcussions of that arrangement that were debated this morning and will be discussed again this afternoon.

Potentially the appeal could be stopped before it has even properly begun.

In very simplified terms, much hinges on whether WDDC should be regarded as a developer or not. WDDC said this morning it should, because (for example) even if it never planned to undertake any building work itself, “development is not just the physical manifestation and execution of that, it is the process that is gone through.”

If WDDC is regarded as a developer, planning regulations bite, and the appeal should be declared invalid.

But Haywards said this was unfair, because WDDC “invited and persuaded” Haywards to work with them, with Haywards understanding that regulations would not bite because the two parties remained essentially independent. As such Haywards should retain their indepedent right to appeal and the appeal should be declared valid.

The scheme being proposed is the biggest in Bridport for at least 30 years. Hundreds of livelihoods could depend on what the planning inspector Simon Rawle decides later today – or perhaps even tomorrow, such is the intensity of the debate.

If you’d like more immediate updates, you can follow RealWestDorset on Twitter. See link in top right hand corner of screen.

Officially, the number of full-time jobs in and around St Michael’s Trading Estate is 112. That is the figure previously used in planning applications to redevelop the estate.

But foot-slogging research by the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate suggests the true number is nearly double that – more than 200.

To be exact, the Quadrant hosts the equivalent of 202.5 full-time jobs.   

This figure suggests that there is an urgent need to revise official calculations about the economic value of redeveloping the Quadrant, as those calculations worked with the figure of 112.  

Aside from that, the list compiled by Andrew Leppard has a fascination all of its own. It’s a snapshot of Bridport’s economic and cultural history, captured before it could all be changed forever, depending on the outcome of a planning appeal starting later this month.

Think of it as a kind of Bridport Domesday Book… 

Here you will find theatrical groups, cleaners, an environmental consultant, an archaeologist, bathroom sellers, printers….

Small businesses in the SW Quadrant showing the number of Full-Time Equivalent jobs (FTE)

1. How is FTE worked out? Say five people work one day a week each – that is the equivalent of one person working full time.

2. It should also be noted that, although this list has been carefully checked, things change – numbers can change – and mistakes in transcription can occur. For example, it is possible that there is a spelling mistake in here somewhere! If you spot it, or if you wish to make any other corrections, please get in touch.

Members of the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate

Glen Crawford, Riley, classic cars, 1

Karl McGrady, Upholsterer, Unit 3, StMTE, 1.5

Hazel Murless, Soft Furnisher, 48a, The Studio, StMTE, 1

Bridport TLC, community recycling project, 47b StMTE, 13 (9FT +18PT)

Tolkovsky Furniture Design, 46b, StMTE, 2

ABC Blinds, 36, StMTE, 1.5

Discount Furniture, 37/38, StMTE, 6.5

Burwoods Domestic Appliances, 84, StMTE, 6.5

Wessex Wines, 88, StMTE, 1

West Country Cleaning and Waste, 47 StMTE, 6.5

AB Services, cleaning, 47 StMTE, 9

PNC, plates and plaques, unit 6 StMTE, 5

Les Alles Furniture, 57 StMTE, 1

Old Albion furniture, StMTE, 2

Vintage @ Cornucopia, Unit 4 StMTE, 1.5

Alessandro Botto, artist St Michael’s Studios. 1

Paul Blow, Illustrator, Studio 5. StMTE, 1

Carlos Guarita, photographer, 66 St Michaels Lane, 1

Lucy Guarita, archaeologist, 66 st Michaels Lane, 0.5

Print n Press, StMTE, 1

Beeline Taxis, Tannery Road (bus station), 13.5

Jemma Thompson, Signwriter, 17/19 Barrack St, 1

Nikki McCretton, Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Co, 7

Mark Parrot, Dog House Theatre Co

The Trick Factory, Skate, BMX arena, Stover Building, StMTE, 2

Cornucopia, Unit 10, StMTE, 1

Café Royal, Tannery Rd, 5.5 (2 + av 7)

SJ Bowles, Classic Motor Upholstery, Unit 6b, StMTE, 1

Best’s carpets, 81a St Michael’s Lane, 6

Dave Neylan, Environmental Consultant, Unit 18, StMTE, 1

Michael Wade Waxworks, Sculpture, StMTE, 2

Old Albion Antiques, StMTE, 1

Fiona Neylan, millinery, unit 15, StMTE, 0.5

Peter Watson, Printmaker, The Studio, 48 StMTE, 1

Pine and Painted, furniture, unit 10b, StMTE, 1

PSUK printing unit, 43, 1

Gabriel Hollands, Interior designs, St Michael’s Studios

Snips hairdressers, 3.5

Dan Davies, carpenter, joiner, unit..? 1

Tessa Dickson, Community Arts Projects, StMTE, 1

The Auction House, 1.5

Local Food Links, Unit 17 StMTE, 18.5

Brooks Develin, Unit 17, 4

0404 Web Design, Unit 17, 4

Oxenbury & Sons Coachworks, St Michaels Lane, 4

Karl Dixon, monumental works, 2

Sarah’s clothes shop, Tannery Lane, 1

Non-members of the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate

JK Knight, plumbing, 1

Hayward & Co, 4

AJC computers, 1

Cox’s Corner antiques, 1

Ocean Bathrooms, 10.5

Top Gear, exhausts etc, 15

Landsdowne Property Holdings Ltd, 1

Livingstone Textiles, St Michaels Lane, 2

TOTAL FTE 183.5

Artists at St Michael’s

John Rabbetts, artist, Tower Studio, StMTE, 1

Linzi Light, artist, St Michaels Studios, 1

Kate Alder, jewellery maker, studio14, 1

Ian Dunn, artist, unit 16, StMTE, 1

Charles Hallsworth, artist, studio 6, StMTE, 1

Andrew Leppard, artist, studio 5, StMTE, 1

David Brooke, studio 3a, StMTE, 1

Kit Glaisyer, artist tenant, unit 3c, StMTE, 1

Petra Hughes, Young at Art education, Studio6, StMTE, 1

Charlie Fuge, illustrator, 1

Spike Golding, graphic designer, StMTE, 1

Part time (½ equivalent)

S Wootton, artist, studio 14, 1 Stover Place, StMTE

Philomena Hamsworth, artist, St Michael’s Studios

Jan Zoyak, artist, St Michael’s Studios

Kate Alder, jewellery, studio 14

Marion Irons, printmaker, studio 14, StMTE

John Miles, photographer, studio 14

Sally Miles, artist, studio 14

Marion Taylor, artist, St Michael’s Studios

Jo Barnes, artist, St Michael’s Studios

John Boyd, artist, St Michael’s Studios

Pru Hewett-Morgan, artist, St Michael’s Studios

Adrian Everett, artist, unit 13a

Sally Davies, artist, tenant, StMTE

Anna Sullock, artist tenant, studio 6, StMTE

Antonia Fraser, artist tenant, studio 5, StMTE

Caroline Ireland, artist, tenant, St Michaels Studios

TOTAL FTE 19

OVERALL TOTAL 202.5

Bridport: South West Quadrant. Developers want to build a 5-storey block of flats on the site of the Stover Building (behind Burwoods). Photograph by Pete Millson

SHOULD the inquiry into the biggest proposed development in Bridport for 30 years be allowed to go ahead?

That is the question that will – unexpectedly – be decided when landowners Haywards’ launch their appeal into the future of the South West Quadrant, at the Park Dean Holiday Park in West Bay on January 26.

Costly preparations for the appeal have been going on for months, but if planning inspector Simon Rawle finds that Haywards’ appeal is not valid, the inquiry scheduled to last for three days will be stopped before it’s even properly begun.

Good news for the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate who have been campaigning against the proposed redevelopment of the area? Not necessarily.

Andrew Leppard, of the Friends, says: “We do actually want the appeal to go ahead because it’s the first time that someone from outside has had chance to have a look at it.”

Different parties involved in the appeal have recently been corresponding about the grounds for it. The situation is complicated because Haywards (the appellants) twice applied for planning permission in conjunction with West Dorset District Council, and twice elected councillors refused to give permission. It was thought last summer that planning regulations might not allow Haywards to appeal, but then it seemed that a way through had been found. However, a lot could now hinge on the question of how the council has decided what it might do in future with land it owns in the South West Quadrant.    

A letter from the planning inspectorate (intended for circulation) states: “We note the contents of the recent letters / emails from both main parties on this subject and the contents of the appellant’s Counsel’s opinion is noted, as is the fact that the Council’s Counsel has confirmed that s/he agrees with the solicitor’s interpretation of the Regulations.

“However, we are not in a position to determine the position ahead of the opening of the inquiry.

“With the above in mind, the parties (including any interested parties that wish to raise this matter) will need to make submissions to the Inspector at the opening of the inquiry. It will then be for the Inspector to judge on the validity of the appeal and thus whether to proceed.

“However, the parties should make sure that they are prepared to proceed should the Inspector decide that the appeal is valid.”

The letter goes on to state that the planning inspector “will be fully briefed about this matter prior to the inquiry”.

Dr Sue Farrant with Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg

Dr Farrant, the Liberal Democrats’ contender for West Dorset at the forthcoming General Election, says she is unhappy with the way that Conservative-controlled West Dorset District Council (WDDC) has behaved over the issue of the South West Quadrant of Bridport, which includes St Michael’s Trading Estate.

WDDC was initially in league with landowners Haywards, until its own councillors rejected what was planned and Haywards then decided to appeal. The hearing will begin at West Bay on January 26.   

Dr Farrant says: “I entirely support the campaign by the Friends of St Michael’s Trading Estate against the current proposals to develop the South West Quadrant of Bridport.

“I believe that any regeneration plan must maintain both the community of small businesses and working artists and an adequately-sized public transport terminal, as well as include other essential community resources, notably the Trick Factory.

“I think the behaviour of West Dorset District Council (WDDC) over this issue has been extremely heavy-handed and it appears to me that a number of important issues which were raised by tenants and residents and by the Town Council have simply not been taken into account.

“I don’t make these comments lightly because I am all too well aware of the need for more housing in the area and the pressure on WDDC to meet government targets.

“However, the inclusion of 100 units in addition to the 70 in the Local Plan seems to me to fly in the face of WDDC’s wider responsiblity to promote the economic, environmental and social well being of the communities it serves. That means taking all factors into account rather than pursuing a single goal to the exclusion of all others.

“I am a great believer in local communities coming together to work out solutions to issues like these and in my experience that is the only way that sustainable outcomes can be achieved.”

For other stories on the South West Quadrant and the Trick Factory, look on this site in the Category called South West Quadrant.

The proposed “regeneration” of the area, which includes St Michael’s Trading Estate, is going to be fought over at an appeal hearing in West Bay in January.

If landowners Haywards get approval for their scheme, which was first drawn up with West Dorset District Council, it will have a bigger effect on Bridport than any development since the 1970s.

Forty-three letters went to the Planning Inspectorate. One – from the Highways Agency – raised no objections provided certain conditions were met. The rest were all opposed.

To help round off 2009, and to carry us through into 2010, here are a few of the most eye-catching bits.       

“This fake new utopia”

Alan Ross of Burton Bradstock writes: “Should this development go ahead, my wife and I will never visit Bridport again, taking our business to places of character such as Beaminster!”

The letter is also signed – you’ll be relieved to hear – by Mrs Susan Ross. (I didn’t like to think of her being unilaterally barred by her husband from visiting her nearest town… But as it stands, that’s what you call a resolution.)

Mr and Mrs Ross say they object to the idea of Bridport becoming a clone town, yet another victim of the process which sees a vibrant artistic area created, then developers cash in, wipe the slate clean, and cram in houses, “outpricing this fake new utopia to the local people who were instrumental in building, and had pride in, their inter-reliant community.”

“A sterile town”

Antonia Fraser, Pymore: “Many of us think that what is being proposed at present will turn Bridport into a sterile town with smart shops and bijoux cafes of the kind found in the South East of England.

“The alternative is that Bridport retains its authentic Dorset character, rooted in its artisan base.”

“It is honest, it is human and it is real”

Rex Johnson, Nettlecombe: “St Michael’s trading estate is a trading estate and is bound to look a little shabby in places. SO WHAT?

“I find the current and ongoing mania for tidying everything up disturbing, totally distasteful and utterly superficial.

“Bridport is an historic and characterful market town and a characterful, shabby trading estate is very much a part of that.

“It is honest, it is human and it is real.

“The very last thing I would wish to see happen to St Michael’s trading estate is for it to be transformed into yet another Poundbury…”

Harriet Laurie with sons Caspar and Dillon

 

You can see Harriet Laurie on You Tube by clicking on this link  

GRAPHIC designer Harriet Laurie is one of the leaders of the fight to save Dorset’s only indoor skate park from destruction.

The Trick Factory on St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport is in danger of being knocked down so that landowners Haywards (originally teamed up with West Dorset District Council) can build flats on the site.

Ms Laurie is involved because she has three sons. She says, “If they weren’t doing this, they’d be at home trashing the house. This [place] is geared up for testosterone, and my home is a little bit of a cosy cottage where three big boys are just busting out at the seams, so they come here, they get it all out of their system, and they come home and they’re lovely.”

One of her boys, Caspar, admits: “I can skate, which I like doing, and I’m tired out when I get home, so I don’t stay up late, and I’m ready for school and stuff like that. It’s just a lot easier to come here and it’s something to do at night rather than going out around the town.”

The Trick Factory is thronging with boys trying out risky sporting moves. There’s plenty of fallings-off but no visible fallings-out.

Ms Laurie says: “There’s an awful lot they’re learning about how to co-operate with other people, and how to be generous, you know, allowing other people the space and the time to do their stuff and they all really encourage each other, there’s a wonderful kind of bonhomie.”

More activities for teenagers a West Dorset priority

The last major survey of public opinion in West Dorset was bmg research’s Place Survey, carried out in late 2008, published in full in October 2009.

According to this survey, residents’ two top priorities for improving life in West Dorset are more affordable decent housing (47% overall – 57% in Bridport) and more activities for teenagers (43% overall – 45% in Bridport).

This is why the future of the Trick Factory has become such an explosive issue – because it brings the two priorities of affordable housing and activities for teenagers into direct conflict.

(This is also why it’s remarkable that the Trick Factory should – until recently – have been so ignored by West Dorset District Council planners and landowners Haywards: – so casually earmarked for destruction – or so it seems to everyone I’ve spoken to about it…)

Should one priority give way to the other? Harriet Laurie: “Affordable housing is really important, but I think there’s not much point having affordable housing and then having that all full of kids who’ve got nothing to do, who are going to trash the place. You have got to get a balance, haven’t you, between keeping people busy and positive, as well as housing them. I don’t think one has to give way to the other. You can create a scheme that works for everybody.”

But is it now possible to get a scheme that works for everybody? Haywards’ planning appeal – against district councillors’ refusal to allow the transfomation of St Michael’s Trading Estate and the South West Quadrant of Bridport – will begin in West Bay on January 26.

Click here for the Trick Factory’s website 

Click here for the Trick Factory Support Group on Facebook, which (at the time of writing this) has nearly 1,500 members 

Philip Colfox and daughter. It's not every day you see your Dad wearing a bright orange boiler suit to campaign for skateboarders. But this was to be no ordinary day...

TODAY is the big day to save the Trick Factory, the indoor skate park in Bridport that’s threatened with destruction by property developers.

So says the human rights lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith, who lives near Bridport and is now helping to organise the campaign against the park’s shut-down. It’s scheduled for demolition if landowners Haywards get the right at a planning appeal next year to redevelop St Michael’s Trading Estate and the South West Quadrant of Bridport 

So, from about 11 am this morning, around Bucky Doo Square in Bridport, and in front of the Arts Centre, users and supporters of the Trick Factory have been asking people to back a petition. It’s reckoned that by the end of this afternoon 500 or 600 people will have signed up and perhaps even been photographed too.

Busking for the Trick Factory in front of Bridport Arts Centre

Clive Stafford-Smith (wearing grey body-warmer) behind a busy petition table

Making a clear stand: Save the Bridport Trick Factory

Many users are clad in bright orange in reference to the notorious jumpsuits which inmates at  Guantanamo Bay are forced to wear. Clive Stafford-Smith is best known for his work with Guantanamo captives.

A short film about the Trick Factory is also showing in Bridport Arts Centre.

Also this weekend…

On Sunday December 20, the collection from a Christmas carol service at the Unitarian Chapel in East Street, Bridport, will be donated to the cause. (That’s The Chapel in the Garden, opposite Rawle’s butchers).

Trick Factory supporter and local landowner Philip Colfox says: “My family are putting on a little carol service in the Unitarian Chapel on Sunday, at 4pm, for people to come along and play their musical instruments and have a lovely time and we’re going to dedicate the collection towards the Trick Factory.”

Mr Colfox has got involved in the campaign because he says: “My little boy absolutely adores bicycling, skateboarding, and I know how important it is for young lads to have something to do, keep them occupied, so as far as I’m concerned the Trick Factory is absolutely one of the best things for young boys.”

Some sample messages from the wall of the Trick Factory

I am x years old and I live round Bridport. If I wasn’t at the Trick Factory, I would be skating up the side of your garden wall.

I am x years old and I live round Bridport. If I wasn’t at the Trick Factory, I would be doing my homework… NOT!

I am x years old and I live round Bridport. If I wasn’t at the Trick Factory, I would be begging my parents to move to Florida.

I am x years old and I live round Bridport. If I wasn’t at the Trick Factory, I would be lying in the gutter outside the kebab shop.

I am 50 years old and I live round Bridport. If I wasn’t try to save the Trick Factory, I’d be trying to save the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

Guess who that last one was!