South Bank R.I.P.

[OLDSKATERS]

So, it's actually happening - I was there on Thursday night and the small banks are closed off, barricaded up and being destroyed, it looks like the rest is next, another legendary spot hits the dust....R.I.P. Southbank - 30 years of history to become a cafe and shopping mall!!  

_{Read all about the development here...http://www.rfh.org.uk/main/information/future.asp?subpage=whatsnext}

[BOOMERDOG]

BASTARDS!-END OF AN ERA  

[H-Boyz]

Although we were never what you'd call locals.....all the Harrow lot had many a good time there in the late 70's early 80's. Am sad to see it go  

[deathdog5000]

hi im new 2 sk8in,
talkin of harrow can u give me directions 2 where it is?
:Dcheers

[rodga harvey]

check website:h-boyz.com for directions my dawg...

[deathdog5000]

cheers

[OLDSKATERS]

Toby Shuall has set up a petition for the Prime Minister;

Since the early seventies ‘the Undercroft’ (the sheltered area beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s Southbank) has served as the home of the skateboarding community in the UK. It’s an open public-space that has brought together thousands of young people, from various backgrounds, over the last 35 years to form a harmonious and positive community. This type of positive and ‘unorganised’ activity for young people is very rarely seen elsewhere in the UK today… However the area is now being rapidly redeveloped and the future of ‘the Undercroft’ is uncertain. Already a large part has been partitioned off behind large wooden hoardings. Please join us in petitioning the government to guarantee that the site is: (A) returned to its previous state (allowing the general public and skateboarders open access to the full area), and (B) officially protected and preserved for future generations of the skateboard community to use.

To add your name, sign here

The film 'Save Southbank' has been made in response to the uncertain future of the South Bank.
 
Please join us for the premier at the Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place (Leicester Square tube) on the 7th of February at 7.45pm.

Entry is free, but you must get a ticket from Slam City Skates.

No tickets will be given out on the evening.

Slam City Skates
16 Neals Yard
W2CH 9DP
020 7240 0928

[Mark Evans_H]

I signed up. Gave my adress as

Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX



I'm sure some of my skin is still there.

[stewart savage]

good old days ,my first board was nicked from their,but still skated on the concrete wave from 76 to 87.god bless the old tramps and sweeney,brix dave and chris.

[OLDSKATERS]

As most of you will probably be aware, "Save Southbank" is the film made by Toby Shuall and Winstan Whitter to tie in with their current campaign to secure the future of Southbank.

What you might not be aware of is that Toby and Winstan have put a lot of time and effort into making this film, which has come out absolutely amazing!

Detailing the history of the Southbank and featuring interviews with some of the most influential people in not only skateboarding, but architecture as well, "Save Southbank" is compulsive viewing for each and every person reading this and is more than deserving of the 25 minutes of your day that it is requesting.

Click below to watch and don't forget to sign the petition!

http://www.dobedo.co.uk/dbd_viewmedia.php?mId=8

[Mark Evans_H]

Ooh!

Thanks for the link. Thought provoking.

[mad-rat]

Thanks for posting the link to that film.  I've just watched it twice over. 
I almost had tears in my eyes at the thought that this place may be gone soon.

I first went there when I was 12, back in 1977.  I do not live in London now, but whenever I go there, even for business meetings, I always stop by and watch the next generation practicing the art.  Our art form.

Visiting South Bank, for me, or anybody who skateboards in the UK is like a pilgrimage.  I feel its a right, almost a duty to go there, and see how the place is holding up.  Even as I sit here, many miles away I can instantly conjure up in my mind the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere.

If skateboarding in the UK has a home, an epicenter, a place where we all, as skateboarders belong; then its the South Bank.

Sorry for getting so sentimental, but for a 42 year old bloke, this tiny piece of England matters. 

[OLDSKATERS]

The Prime Minister's Office has responded to the online petition

The Southbank Centre is an independent arts organisation and decisions about the Undercroft are a matter for them. However, the Southbank Centre recognises the importance of the Undercroft in bringing together skateboarders from across the UK and the value that the skateboarding community has brought to many young people and the South Bank area itself. Any activity that engages and develops young people can have a very positive impact on society and the skateboarding community that has grown up around the Undercroft has brought together people from various backgrounds, created a vibrant public space and added real value to the lives of many young people.

The Southbank Centre has said that it has no plans to redevelop the Undercroft used by skateboarders. In fact, they are in close discussions with the skateboarding community about how to improve the current skateboard area and about how the community might become more involved in the Southbank Centre's artistic programme.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page15969.asp