Children and young people in Shirebrook can get active whilst learning as the town’s BLAST organisation are running a new bike club in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church.
Sessions are held every Wednesday and give youngsters the chance to learn how to repair their bikes or repurpose an old bike into a new one.
Shirebrook County Councillor, Councillor Christine Dale is sponsoring 10 places on the course for disadvantaged families because not all families can afford to go on the course.
She added “I originally gave funded last year to help set up the club but then the pandemic hit. This extra funding will give disadvantaged children an opportunity to have a go at building and maintaining these bikes and going out on bike trails. It’s an outside activity, it’s healthy and it gets parents and children together to do something positive.”
The young people will also be able to get creative by taking photographs or keeping a journal about the project, learn a range of bike skills and techniques, all whilst being active as they can take part in group bike rides.
There are two elements to the course. One is to get old bikes from local people that can be repaired and children who have not got a bike can then help bring the bike back into use and keep it. And equally young people are being encouraged to go along and learn new bike skills such as how to change a tyre or mend a puncture.
Local businessman, Jeremy Flint said, “It has to be applauded. If it gets bums on saddles and it gets young children out there riding their bikes in the fresh air then it has to be a good scheme and anything that can be done to encourage that it has to be good.”
BLAST are encouraging parents to volunteer at the club to help with bike repairs or just general assisting and are also asking for people to donate old bikes, spare parts, etc.
The build-a-bike six week course costs £35 and the young person keeps the bike and there is a general session costing £2 per week for a general bike session. All the profits then go back into the club to help purchase equipment
For further information or to book contact BLAST via Facebook or message Ian Maddison on 07475 169341.
