Frome Skatepark Project’s Skate Jam event on Saturday 9 May has a special guest in Isaac Jose, crowned European Champion at the 2025 European Scootering Championships in Tjelta, Norway. There’s a chance to demonstrate your own skills in a series of competitions from midday, with the chance to win prizes, with Isaac Jose judging the scooter competitions.
The skate jam is one of a busy calendar of 2026 fundraising events by Frome Skatepark Project (FSP) who are aiming to raise £400,000 for a new skatepark in the Mary Baily Playing Field in 2027, supported by Rotary Club of Frome and Frome Town Council. In addition to the fundraising efforts, the team want to ensure that Frome’s new skatepark is a truly welcoming and inclusive space and are hosting a series of free skate lessons aimed at girls, who are traditionally underrepresented in skating, although there has been an increase in recent years.
Experienced local instructor Dave Lea is leading the first in a series of free lessons for girls on Thursday 7 May, from 4.15 to 5.15 at the skatepark. This first session is for age 11 to 16; future sessions will cater for other ages and underrepresented groups. Dave Lea is also hosting low-cost lessons at the skate jam itself between 10am and 12pm for £6 (booking required), with all proceeds to the skatepark project fundraiser.
Sue Bucklow, Chair of Frome Skatepark Project said: “We’re so pleased to be able to bring these events to Frome and raise money for something we know means a great deal to so many people in our community – and it’s so exciting to have Isaac Jose with us on 9 May. A new skatepark will give young people a safe, welcoming place to meet, be active and have fun, but it would also be a real asset for the whole town. It’s about creating a space that families can feel proud of – somewhere that encourages confidence, connection and a sense of belonging. We hope people will come along, enjoy our events and help us take another step towards making a new skatepark for Frome a reality.”
Cllr Polly Lamb, lead councillor for the project, said “We’re excited to be hosting free skating lessons for people who might not feel the skatepark is for them – and to welcome a hugely talented scooter rider in Isaac Jose, showing where the hobby can take you! Some sessions will be girls only, or tailored to groups we know are underrepresented in skating in the UK, because we want Frome’s skatepark to be an exciting, inclusive space, where everyone with an interest in skating is welcome. Thanks so much to Dave Lea for leading the classes, to FSP for all their incredibly hard work and to Rotary for all their help – look out for more chances to try skating and more fundraising events from FSP including live music and a deck auction.”
Donate to the skatepark project at https://givealittle.co/c/fromeskatepark. Find out more about European Champion Isaac Jose on Instagram at @isaaccjosee. Book the free girls’ skating lesson on 7 May at tinyurl.com/free-girls-skate-7-may. Book lessons for £6 at the skate jam on 9 May (proceeds to FSP) at tinyurl.com/skate-lessons-9-may.
