The first session of a new roller skating facility at the William de Ferrers Centre, South Woodham proved a popular success at the weekend.

The event, which was run by the South Woodham Roller Speed Skating Club, attracted youngsters and even one or two adults and will now run each Saturday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Press officer for the club, Chris Wallis, said: "We have always been based in Woodham, but we could not get the facilities so we had to do training in Wickford."

Now following negotiations the centre has made its facilities available for the club so it can be truly home-based. Town councillors Jim Barnett and Cliff Vanner went along on Saturday to see how the facility was used.

Cllr Vanner took his grandchildren along to try out the skating and said Cllr Barnett encouraged the negotiations between the club and the centre.

He added: "I think there must have been at least 200 people over the period of time which I think is a measure of its success."

There will be some skates available for hire and some instruction available for those who cannot skate. Admission is £3 for two hours or any part of this.

Skaters are advised to ensure their skates are in good condition and are not muddy or damaged and are urged to arrive in shoes or trainers, changing into their skates when they arrive.

For more information contact Debbie Moore on 01245 325634 or 425515.

On a roll - some of the crowd which enjoyed their Woodham skating session

By Amanda Brandon

Reporter's e-mail: amanda.brandon@essex-chronicle.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.