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JUNCTION 4 SKATEPARK: Wethepeople BMX Jam

Junction 4 Skatepark are holding their first ever BMX Jam, it’s sponsored by Wethepeople so it’s bound to be a sick day! Make sure you put Sunday the 7th of May in your calendar. Take a day off work, make an excuse up to ditch the wife or girlfriend, pull a sickie, do whatever you need to so that you can make it there.

WTP pros such as Mike Curley, Sam Jones & Jordan Godwin will be in attendance and the guys at Junction 4 have even set up a ‘Golden Rail Jam’ which should add a nice subtle street element to the park and will be a shit-load of fun to get creative with.

Since we go back a long way, I thought that it’d be sick to catch up with old friend. He’s a master at ripping the piss out of people, one of the best ramp builders in the country and an absolute session monster. This man seems to be well-known within the industry for both good and bad reasons. Kidding! (not kidding) and it’s always a laugh when he shows up at an event…

I’m of course talking about Ant Ramsey – The new owner of Junction 4 Skatepark. Every time I’ve met Ant it’s been at a big event where we end up getting absolutely shit-faced. It’s fair to say that he loves a good piss-up (as I found out at NASS) but don’t let that fool you. He’s an intelligent bloke and when he puts his mind to something he’s passionate about he certainly gets shit done! I caught up with Ant for a little bit of banter and some insight into how much time, work and effort went into revamping a newly-owned skatepark then organising such a big event within a very short space of time. I’d say he was happy to answer a few questions but he’s never happy, the grumpy twat…

A few questions with Ant Ramsey:

#1 – So Ant! Can you give us a little bit of a background about yourself for those who don’t know who you are? I’ve known you a few years and during that time you’ve had a few sweet jobs within the BMX industry both in the UK and overseas, can you name a few for us?

Skatepark Owner – Interact Burnley – “Taj Mihelich’s 2nd favourite place in the world to ride.”
Contest Ramp Construction
Urban Games – Bike Show – Cycle Show – Nass – BMX Worlds Cologne – Vans Rebel Jam London
BMX Manager – NASS
BMX Coordinator – BMX Worlds and Masters – Cologne
Skatepark Design and Build – Rush Skatepark – Urban Extreme Barrow in Furness – Street Section
and Resi section Rampworx
Stuff at Corby with 414.
Unit 360 new sections.
Venues and Facilities Manager at XDubai
Full time @ rider abuse

#2 – So… Just a few jobs within the industry then! What made you want to take over Junction 4 mate?

A few reasons really. I have been away from home a lot over the last few years and needed to be
with my family and the park is close to home so offered that opportunity.

Junction 4 was struggling so I contacted the council who were running the park at the time
and asked what the possibilities were of taking it over they said they were going to put it out
to tender and I could apply. Which we did and were successful. I wanted to keep it running as the area needs a place that is more rider focused i really hope we can achieve that.

#3 – Do you have a certain direction or ‘feel’ to the park, and will you be holding events like this on the regular?

I want the place to feel part of the local scene and support riders we want to make a lot of changes but they will take time, we have generally tarted the place up and put a coffee bar in etc. We will be holding a few events over the year starting with the Wethepeople/Golden Rail Jam. I’m really looking forward to our Props/Road fools pub quiz (riding – films and licensed bar all in one.)

#4 – I’m really looking forward to seeing the WTP boys and everyone else destroying the place, are there any more pros or big names you know of which we should look out for?

I think Jaydogg is coming but if he’s busy I’ve been talking to Logan Martin and a few of the Aussies to pop over in the summer before or after NASS. Anyone is welcome it’s a riders park.

#5 – What changes, (if any) have you made to the park since you’ve taken charge?

We have cleaned it up installed a new membership/rewards system – Coffee Bar – Massive TV and sound system. Set up an room for the cnc machine all within the 3 weeks we have had the keys. Ramp changes to come… We have also employed Tom Pickup – A rider with some serious filming and editing abilities. Tom will be working with riders and kids to teach them skills in the dark arts of production.

#6 – The ‘Golden Rail’ looks well sick, great little element of fun where people can get creative. What’s the wildest trick you can think of on that thing?

Creativity and getting people to ride differently has played a big part in the designs of the parks i have built with Ben Hennon as Art Ramp Parks so this rail is the first installation in the park that hopefully will get people to think differently. As for tricks on it I dunno, I will be happy if people just turn up ride and be creative and leave happy. Are you gonna be at the jam Neil??????