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A few weeks ago I found myself in the West Yorkshire town of Halifax (UK) with a couple of hours to kill. Of course, having my skates in the back of the car, I decided to find a convenient park.

Anyone who has been to Halifax with knows that the town nestles in the steep valley sides of the River Calder. With this in mind, I was not very confident at finding anywhere suitable. However, driving from the town centre along the Leeds Road, I saw on my right an area of rolling parkland. This being Shibden Park.

Forming the grounds of Shibden Hall, the 90 acres of parkland is criss-crossed with tarmac paths. Having parked in the free car park, which is situated within the park itself. I set off firstly along the lake and up a short hill, to spend most of my time there practising my stops and turns on the slopes of the rolling pathways at the top of the park.

Being a weekday afternoon the park was fairly quiet. However I can imagine that at the weekend it can be a hive of activity. I did read the notice boards when I arrived, and there was nothing to indicate that skating or similar activities were not permitted. However I don’t know how the park rangers, who have a noticeable (but not overbearing) presence would see this on a busy weekend. They certainly did not tell me to stop, and I was there for quite some time.

There were only two things that marred my enjoyment of Shibden Park, and both were beyond the control of the park or its owners. Firstly, it had recently rained, so the grip I got from my 82A wheels was greatly reduced on the damp paths.

However despite this, the paths are well swept, and free of leaves and other debris, which can foil the unwary skater.

The second fault I found is based on my own incompetence and stupidity. From where I was skating at the top of the park, I had to go down one of two hills back to the car park. The first choice, although relatively short has what appeared to be a sharp left turn at the bottom, which if you missed, would have you ending up in the lake!!!

The second choice although a longer hill, didn’t look quite so steep, and follows the vehicle access to the car park. It also has a long grassy run off at the bottom – in case you get into trouble. Of course I did!!!

Unlike any sensible person who would build up to skating down the whole hill by skating increasing lengths of it from the bottom, I decided to attempt it all in one go. Halfway down I realised that I might be going too fast when I ‘caught air’ going over a sleeping policeman. It all became very messy when I went over the next sleeping policeman, and I used the age old stopping technique of lying on the floor until I stopped. Fortunately, wrist and elbow pads saved me from any serious damage, but I still forfeited a large chunk of flesh from the top of my left thigh.

All things considered the residents of West Yorkshire have an excellent facility in Shibden Park. As I left I saw a couple of other in-line skaters had arrived, also while I was there some skateboarders had clearly taken the day off school to practise their downhill technique.

The Park offers other attractions beyond the skating potential. As well as cafe and other refreshment facilities, there is boating on the lake, a miniature railway circling the valley bottom, Pitch & Putt, and of course Shibden Hall itself. Open to the public, displaying over 300 years of local history.

Pedestrians can use Shibden Park 24 hours a day. However if you take your car, access is between 8.00am and dusk.