Bishopbriggs BMXer, Christopher Eastwood (aka Katman, 16) formerly of Bishopbriggs Academy, was a winner at the first national BMX competition in Edinburgh’s Transgression Indoor Skate Park, “Snow Ballin’ BMX Jam” at the end of 2011. However, this magnanimous youngster offered all his prizes to stage a local competition at the Bishopriggs Youth BMX Club the following evening, Sunday 11th Dec.
Bishpbriggs BMXer Katman winner in national jam.
Christopher was one of the founders of the Bishopbriggs Youth BMX Club just one year ago. The CTC Bike Club funded project for boys and girls from 10 to 19 has been so successful that it regularly attracts around 30 to 40 youngsters from across Bishopbriggs, and provides a focus for their energy, with nearly 100 members. The club was launched as a fortnightly initiative, but with more support from CashBack for Communities, it will be able to run weekly from the New Year.
Christopher said “It was really good to get 2nd place at the nationals in Edinburgh, and the Bishy guys really liked doing our own competition the next night. We plan to have local competitions quarterly in the year ahead. The club at St. Matthew’s has been really good for the young riders, but we really need an indoor place to ride locally. It would be ideal if a permanent facility could be set up here in Bishopbriggs as part of the new town centre.”
The club is supported by St. Matthew’s Parish who have provided the hall for the past year, enabling the young people to come in out of the cold, especially in the winter evenings, and focus on developing their talents. East Dunbartonshire Community Learning has also provided support.
Anne McNair, local councillor and co-director of ED’s Cycle Co-op who backed the project at the start said “The need for a BMX Club came out of discussions with some of the young people in Bishopbriggs, and this is testimony to not only their riding talents, but their creativity and drive to build a better community in Bishopbriggs. Christopher is only one of many youngsters who continue to set the agenda for the club in 2012, and learning many useful life skills in the process. Jonathan Ashworth is also a talented film maker, see video tribute to Katman on pinkbike.”
