Radlands 10th Anniversary, November 2002
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Most people, even people who live in England, don't have a clue where Northampton is. It's one of those places that when someone asks where you're from and you say "Northampton", the reply is usually something along the lines of "Where the fuck's that?"

However, you can guarantee that every skater in England, Europe, or the world even, has heard of Radlands skatepark. This converted warehouse a few minutes from Northampton town centre was the first indoor skatepark in Europe, and 10 years on, it is definitely the most famous. Over the years, the graffiti covered walls of Radlands have seen several British Championships, a couple of world championships, 3 all night skate sessions, and pretty much every pro worth their weight in gold must have leant against the filth ridden things at some point in their career, only to find their t-shirt covered in some kind of black soot. Gershon Mosely's t-shirt actually sat on one of the benches for 2 weeks after a demo, festering away because no-one wanted to so much as touch it, not even the cleaning lady!

Nowadays the atmosphere is a lot more chilled out than it used to be. Gone are the days, perhaps, of turning up to see D flying a kickflip over the hip whilst sipping from a can of red stripe, or seeing the classic sight of a car full of smoke as you pull into the carpark. Most nights now just being the local skaters having a relexed session on the blocks or flatland, occasionally a mini-ramp session, or maybe venturing over to try some tricks down one of the many handrails, which over the years have also claimed many victims, myself included on a switch boardslide which left me walking around like a grandad for weeks after.

The comps at Radlands always go off, guaranteed. The atmosphere is like no other skatepark in the world - the street course packed with skaters, every now and then the occasional inevitable collision taking place. The spectators are almost a part of the action they're so close to the course.
Wednesday nights are no longer offically 'pro night', but still attract many of Britain's creme de la creme, including vert skaters Ali Cairns and Dave Allen who can usually be seen tearing up the now super fast 12ft vert ramp, sailing airs as high as the roof.

So, like I said, 10 years on and still going strong, and not looking like it's going away any time soon. So if you are one of the few skaters who hasn't faced the 1 mile walk from the train station in the pissing English weather to get to Radlands, it's high time you paid the legend a visit.

Added 2005 - Radlands was forced to close in November 2005 due to a lack of funding. The park will be truly missed. RIP.