Crawley News front page, March 10

Crawley to become national centre for extreme sport Parkour

Wednesday, July 08, 2009, 16:00

NEXT time you see a human gliding gracefully over rooftops, around signs and over walls don't worry, you haven't stumbled into a Spiderman movie.

Soon wall-scaling will be all the rage in the town, as Crawley becomes the official home of Parkour.

England's first ever Parkour practice park will be opened in Bewbush on July 27.

The state-of-the art facility has cost £91,000, but one Crawley Parkour practitioner thinks it is worth every penny.

Drew Ratcliffe, 16, from Broadfield, said: "I love doing Parkour. I think the new site will be excellent for everyone here.

"Parkour is very big in Crawley, and the site will definitely be well used."

The aim of Parkour is to move from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, overcoming everyday obstacles from trees to walls.

Drew, who attends Holy Trinity School, said: "You have to practice a lot to be skilled.

"I have been doing it coming on five years now. I saw it on television and I thought it looked really good.

"I took part in an event called Jump Crawley, and that's where I learnt it all properly. It's all kicked off from then really."

Drew, who showed off some of his moves for our photographer last week, added: "Having the new park will mean I will have a place to practice instead of going all around the town.

"I'm looking forward to it."

The Parkour facility will be located in a new neghbourhood park in Breezehurst Drive and is part of the major Heart of Bewbush regeneration project.

The scheme, which costs £780,000 in total, also includes a children's play area, a multi use sports area and greenery space.

Liz Hart, from the community arts team at Crawley Borough Council, said: "It will be a really positive thing for Crawley.

"It will be a safe area where they can practice and perfect their moves. It will be open to everyone."

Drew Ratcliffe shows off some moves

Drew Ratcliffe shows off some moves

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