Le Tour De Besses!

Date published: 01/07/2008

A new project has been set up at the Shuttle Youth Centre to allow local
youngsters to have a go at Mountain Biking.

Hillock Estate Association of Tenants & Residents Association (HEART) and
Victoria Tenants & Residents Association have got together with Bury Youth
Service to set up a mountain biking project for local teenagers

Funding from the Local Area Network Fund has allowed the Tenants and Residents
Associations to purchase eight state of the art mountain bikes as well as
protective clothing to set up Besses Bike Project

The bikes will be available for use from the Shuttle Youth Centre and the bikes
will be fully insured and maintained under a unique agreement with Bury Youth
Service. The bikes will provide the opportunity for young people within the
area to develop new skills, not only around mountain biking, but in terms of
communication, confidence and safety.

The Shuttle Youth Centre will be holding taster sessions and AQA training
courses to encourage young people to try out mountain biking. Groups
participating in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme will also be able to use
the bikes.

Eric Riley, Chairperson of HEART said, "Both Residents' Associations ran multi-
sports holiday activities last year and as both groups had some money left we
decided to put it towards this project which will help kids on both estates.
The Whitefield Area Youth Team have given us a lot of help and advice which has
meant the project has been able to go ahead."

Alan Bigwood from Victoria Tenants and Resident's Association said, "It is
great that groups of young people will be able to get exercise and enjoyment
from mountain biking".

The group is now looking to recruit volunteers who want to develop their skills
leading groups of mountain bikers. For further information should contact the
Shuttle Youth Centre on 0161 253 7384 or email whitefieldyouthadmin@bury.gov.
uk