BEN STEVENS

SEPTEMBER 2023
DOCUMENTARY PROPOSAL
STORY SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

Skateboarding Somerset follows the story of the skate scene in England’s cider county. Caught between the two
most prominent birthplaces of British skateboarding in Cornwall and Bristol during the 70s, was Somerset ever
affected by the boom in a new culture? To the naked eye, the answer is hard to decipher. But take a deeper look
into some of the county’s rural towns - where unbeknown to most, rich skate hotspots are flourishing. This is
Skateboarding Somerset.

• Dive deeper into the history of Cheddar skatepark and explore the prominence of it’s opening for
Somerset’s skate scene. Explore the reasons behind it’s installation, and why it’s still such a well used
facility 13 years on.

• Find out about the reasons for the renovation of Nailsea skatepark and how Nailsea Skate Fest has
brought the Somerset skate scene together.

• Explore the growing interest in street skating and it’s prominence on Weston’s sea front.

• What does the future hold for Somerset Skateboarding? Introduce plans for Locking’s skatepark and
how it will impact Weston as community
CHEDDAR SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

Cheddar is home to an extremely rich skate culture, given it’s unique culture, ties to rockstars, and location- on the
edge of the reservoir, below the towering gorge and surrounding Mendips.

PEOPLE FOR INTERVIEW NOTES

• Jack Bessant – Local rockstar and skateboarder
• Patrick Merryfield – Cheddar local and absolute shredder
• Cheddar Town Councilor – for history purposes
• Random Skateboarders
Ask Alex to film drone shots here. Briefly
touch on installation of pump track and if
it has altered the scene in any way

QUESTIONS TO ASK (TO BE DETAILED FOR EACH PERSON)

• How did the opening of cheddar skatepark impact the town and
the Somerset skate scene as a whole?
• Why do you think cheddar is still used so well 13 years on?
• Who led the campaign for the park and why?
NAILSEA SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

Nailsea skatepark is home to Nailsea Skate Fest and brings hundreds of riders together every year. It’s relatively
new and well used, with a good example of a skate community on the border between rural and urban.

PEOPLE FOR INTERVIEW NOTES

Remember to focus on the impacts of
• Phil Williams – Director of Nailsea Skatepark Project growth and unity for Somerset with this
• Reuben Todd – Local skateboarder ( progressed very quickly) park.
• Random skateboarders

QUESTIONS TO ASK (TO BE DETAILED FOR EACH PERSON)

• Did the renovation help or hinder Nailsea Skate Fest?

• Did the renovation lead to an increase in riders in the area?
• Does the Skate Fest bring riders from around the county together?
WESTON SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

Weston has a growing scene of street skaters and is a prime example of the urban skate scene in Somerset.
However it has got it’s own parks, but are extremely neglected and disused. Why?

PEOPLE FOR INTERVIEW NOTES

Remember to focus on the impacts of
• Alvin Lane – local shredder growth and community and the history as
• Ben Smart & Co. – Original local shredders well
• Random skateboarders (if they’re found…)

QUESTIONS TO ASK (TO BE DETAILED FOR EACH PERSON)

• Even though Weston has it’s own parks, why do you think street
skating is more popular in the town?
• What do the locals think about street skating in Weston?
• Do you think the local street skateboarding scene has grown or
shrunk since you started?
 TIMELINE SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

00:00 15:00

FUTURE &
INTR CHEDDA NAILSEA WESTON
CONCLUSI
O R
ON
05:00 mins 03:00 mins 03:00 mins 03:00 mins

NOTES
Opens with shots of early skateboarders in Bristol and Cornwall before merging into shots of Somerset. The Narrator
says the line in this PowerPoint’s intro. Then titles of SKATEBOARDING SOMERSET. Music starts (reggae or 90’s hip hop)
and drone shots introduce the audience to Cheddar. It moves down to the skatepark and a short voice over is heard
followed by interviews.
WHAT NOW SKATEBOARDING
SOMERSET

• RECCES – these need to get done in each of the 3 locations. We can go individually or
we can go as groups.

• CONTACT AND PERMISSION – I can get this sorted

• SCRIPTING AND SHOT LIST – We can work together on these