Terrace youngsters get into a big spin

A hand-held anemometer recorded gusts of 72mph on the De La Warr Pavilion terrace as enthusiasts worked on Saturday to set up the town's Big Spin 2006 showcase for BMX talent.

Sunday was only a little better, 40mph gusts making it marginal whether the event could go ahead in safety - a carbon copy of last year when bad weather forced a postponement of the first show.

High winds still shrieked about the pavilion as the finishing touches were put to the show on Sunday afternoon.

But the team of High School students which had worked throughout the week under the direction of Rich Moore, a partner in Bexhill's skateboard and BMX store, The Source, had their helmets on and were astride their bikes at the start line.

They were champing at the bit; eager to try out for the first time the ramps they had constructed.

Big Spin 2006 was again a partnership between the De La Warr Pavilion, The Source and the High School.

A week's hard work at the High had gone into the construction of the ramps.

A little breeze and the absence of sunshine and blues skies was dismissed as mere bagatelle.

Sixteen Year Seven students had been joined throughout the week by three former Year 11 counterparts, veterans of last year's ramp-building operation.

High School head of art Jo Symons said: "It's a nice project because they learn a lot about construction but they also use maths. It involves a lot of elements of the curriculum."

As in last year's operation, the building programme had involved much burning of midnight oil. Work had continued on the terrace until the last moment.

Sunday's full afternoon's programme started with an exuberant display by the ramp-builders, professional displays by top pro riders from Stoke-on-Trent and much-appreciated "free time" when anyone bold enough and skilled enough to tackle both the ramps and the cross-wind had their chance to show their mettle and "grab some air."

The aim had been for the action to be accompanied by live music. Bands included Purple Bubble, Drive By Artists, The Five Of us and Suspect.

Sadly, the high winds meant they had to play in the auditorium.

But outside it was all action until dusk, when the De La Warr Pavilion's white wall became a giant screen for film of the sport's top stars in action.

Sunday's show followed Saturday's official re-opening of the Galley Hill skatepark after the Rother-funded building of new ramps by The Source's skatepark construction division.