Date: 26/02/2008
High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council worked with young people and the Manchester company, Spearfish during half term to put graffiti to positive use in the Borough's skate parks.
Young people met with artists from Spearfish at Whaley Bridge Memorial Park, Manor Park in Glossop and Cote Heath in Buxton throughout half term week. Together they designed large boards of graffiti artwork that will be attached to the railings around the skate areas, as well as putting some images on the sides of the skate ramps.
Spearfish was started over 2 years ago to engage, inspire and educate young people about the positive effects that urban culture can have on their lives and those around them.
Councillor Andrew Bingham, High Peak Borough Council's Executive Member for Social and Community Development, said: "After visiting and watching the project in progress, I can confirm that graffiti is an art form which can be put to a positive use. Young people were given the opportunity to use and develop their creativity in a way that will actually deter others from defacing the skate board areas."
Photo: Councillor Bingham visiting the Manor Park project.