Untitled - The Boarding House

The driving force behind Dugtown was to highlight the amazing characters and
scene we've all been lucky enough to experience over the past three decades.
Without the efforts and contribution of so many people, this exhibition wouldn't be
here. From all the pics and video provided, to the massive input of Paul Foster
creating the video and Andrew Murtagh scanning the photos, without them,
nothing. Huge thanks to all involved.
I first rode Exeter in the early 80's, moved here late 80's, and took over The
Boarding House late 90's. This scene is all I know, and, I'm biased, but it rules and
always has!
The integration between BMXer and Skater in Exeter has always been strong, from
the first half-pipe (that's what we called them then) at Countess Wear built by a
combination of them both, to the latest Flowerpot concrete skatepark, designed
with help again from a coalition of Skaters and BMXers.
We're having it beys, always have and always will, keep on keeping on!
Tim Ruck: owner - Boarding House
p.s. if the captions seem a bit gushing or OTT in places; no apologies, in my eyes,
heroes, each and every . . . and the many others that have made the scene but not
mentioned, soz, only so much space . . . Exonian and proud.
In the late 70's, like pretty much every local Council in the U.K., Exeters built
concrete skateparks Beacon Heath off Calthorpe Road
Heavitree in Heavitree park (next to the existing modern skatepark)
Barton Fields in St Thomas
Burnthouse Lane by Ludwell Valley
Unfortunately, when skating died in popularity in the early 80's, Councils across the
land then started demolishing the parks, as they were't being used - for
skateboarding.
The fact BMXers had adopted them as their own passed Councils by, and even
though the local BMX community staged a protest sit-in at Cowick Barton, by the
mid 80's all had been got rid of except Beacon Heath, which also went a few years
later.
The only one actually demolished was Barton Fields (now Tennis Courts), the others
were simply buried . . . Time Team anyone?
photos: Skate - Terry Jones at Barton Fields by Jason Smith
BMX - A.Sweet at Beacon Heath by Andy Sweet 1980
1989
So, the first vert ramp in Exeter: the OG Badger Ramp. Built by BMXers Paul and
Kieran Vaughan-Ryall this had like 20 foot of flat, so to skate, your calves were
burnin' !! This was frequented by a regular crew, laying down the blueprint for the
skate/surf lifestyle that prevailed in the 80's (there was a short run skate/surf mag
called 'Edge' mid-80's), hitting up vert ramps around the U.K. between missions to Oz
and mainland Europe to shred there too.
Bonus, dude. These guys had there own way of communicating involving words and
even sounds that had us young 'uns confused! Young 'uns . . . there was barely 5
years between us, but when you're a teenager . . .
photos: Backside air and Invert by C.J. supplied by C.J.
Frontside air by Leroy Smith
Sweeper by his bro, Jason Smith, both supplied by J.Smith
BMXer, Garth Mcarthy by J.Smith 1984
1984
1984
The new school (1988 haaaa!!) Countess Wear Badger Vert ramp. This project was
conceived, driven and completed by a godfather in Exeter skating, C.J.
He'll say loads of others helped, and they did, but there's always one guy at the
wheel, and in the late 80's, it was him. Full respect.
It's hard to tie in the positive influence people have, but characters like C.J. motivate
others, who show the next generation the way - Make it Happen is the message, and
more than one of the guys involved in getting the scene moving in the late 90's with
Arena park were products of the Countess Wear ramps.
photos: Ramp build by C.J. C.J. from Skateboard! mag
Backside air, Tim 1988
1989
1989
An honorary local, the local pro Mark 'Trawler' Lawer from Plymouth, with a fully
flapped Andrecht.
Trawlers connections brought attention to out little scene down in Exeter, and a
feature in Skateboard! mag followed.
The little pic is the ramp Tim built in the backyard of 'City Surf' shop on Fore St,
which lasted oooh all of a month before the Fire Officer shut it down . . . .
The other pic is elusive local Bear, who'd turn up in between surf missions down
through France, with the most hanging board, loosest trucks, and then proceed to
blast the biggest airs.
photos: Paul Duffy, Skateboard! mag
1989
Chris Bauer along with partner in crime Bobby B documented a lot of the early scene in Exeter,
here are a couple pics of the man in action.
The vert ramp pic really sums it up for me, the bare bones construction is so evident, and Chris'
loose style on this Madonna at Countess Wear brings it all back. So cool.
Colour shot of the Lien air shows the Exe in background, and the 'Raging Sewers' sewage
treatment plant that gave the place it's name, and, err, unique bouquet, is just out of shot.
The other pic, wow, see that big bag hanging off Paul Symes' shoulder? That is recording the
info from the camera held up to Chris B's eye (check the cable), believe it! Footage was hard to
get then and you can see why . . .
photos: B&W - Chris Bauer (but probably by Bobby B)
Colour - Paul Foster
1990
1989
Christians have churches, Hindu's have temples - and in the early 90's, skaters/BMXers had
plywood half-pipe ramps. This scene had people travel from 100,150 miles away to skate believe it!
Looking at these pictures, watching the footage; I can smell the stench of the raging sewers, feel
the splinters burning in my calves and taste the cheap cherryade that got passed around - it
was our life, our whole life.
photos: Tim Ruck 1990
The first Boarding House comp? Think so!
Tim and Phil put on this street jam in King William car park (now John Lewis).
We had fly-offs, quarters, skaters came up from Plymouth (the 'Mad Arnies'), and we
even had Southside Alliance Lord Louis stood on top of the quarter graffing the
pillars. These really were the formative years of the scene we now know!
Check out the mix of skaters and bikes, the good vibes between the two have always
been strong in Exeter, and that just wasn't the case in other parts of the country . .
still isn't in some places now . . .
photos: Phil Hope 1988
An all-time Exeter spot, the 'ABC' banks . . . for anyone under about, god, 30, called
that as they're behind the building that housed the old ABC cinema (now
Waterstones and Halifax).
Fakie by Andy Griffin, aka Griff, aka Raleigh Grifter. Whip footslap by Sweetie aka
Sweenie aka Wee Wee
Sweetie went on to mentor many a 00's local rider, shooting photo's and video of
them, culminating in his seminal video production work 'Broken' in conjunction with
Boarding house (2004)
photos: Griff fakie by Tim Ruck Sweetie supplied by Andy Sweet 1990
1990
This BMX shot was taken in about 1989. BMX was SOOOO dead, the scene in Exeter
consisted of a handful of riders, Tim, Kev, Wayner, Gav, Sweetie, Chapman and Griff.
And two of those were from Crediton!
The bike is a typical late 80's combination of mis-matched parts scavenged off
whatever surviving bikes were around from the 80's freestyle boom - a bike that
might have cost it's owner £500 in 1985 traded hands for 60 odd by the end of the
decade, and could be left in a bush outside of any Exeter drinking spot with no
worries about it going missing . .
photos: Tim Ruck by Paul Foster Colour skate Simon Dickinson by Tim Ruck B&W Jason Bates (L) by Paul Duffy, Skateboard! mag
1989
1990
1991
In the late 80's the DIY ethic toward gigs and skate jams was
in full swing, these pics are from a do put on in the Art College
bar, complete with mini-ramp in the bar! Half the bands
playing were skating too.
This one was set-up by Tim Ruck (now Boarding House), Dave
Goodchild (now Cavern Club) and their mate Eddie (Martin
Edmunds).
We had to take the windows out to get the mini in, and when
we were taking it out at midnight the Rozzers turned up, 'ello,
what's going on here then?' . . . . had a bit of a period of Police
interest at our Jams/Gigs back then . . . they had the
helicopter out at the Strawberry Jam - Countess wear one
time . . . I did some swift talking to clear that one . . .
photos: Tim Ruck 1988
Band - Martin Edmunds singing, Dave Goodchild on the bass
Backside air - Mark Tiley
Frontside Air - Paul Symes
Mosh pit - Assorted!
Frontside air in kneepads - Jason Bates (L)
Invert - Adam Frost
Couple more classic spots, Quay bank-to-wall and St.James
schoolyard.
Dready Kev Perry (now of Highest Grade Sound System), wall
ride and fakie wall ride.
I met this dude in 1988 when he moved from Torrington to
Exeter to go to college, and at the time, we were each the only
other riders we knew in Exeter! To say we were stoked to meet
would be an understatement . . . .
photos: Wall ride: Andy Sweet
Fakie: Tim Ruck 1989
1989
By the early - mid 90's, the ramp scene at Countess Wear had pretty much died, and
it was all going back to the streets. No CCTV, no Security, we had it boys!! No Sunday
shop opening, the city was ours.
Around this time some of the locals were getting a fair bit of coverage in the National
mags, and the Exeter locals were killing it on missions round the U.K. Within 2 years
locals had covers twice, Tim Ruck in 1992 (Invert BMX mag) and Jason Bates (L),
(R.A.D. mag)
So what's with the 'L' after Jay Bates name throughout this exhibition??
Well, we got a lot of pictures here where I've held off using the L word, but hold off I
can no longer . .
Legend. Easily applied, hard to earn.
photos: BMX - Jo Head 1995
Skate - R.A.D. mag 1994
This looks like a bunch of clowns, right?!
Well, they are, but also, the dudes pretty much responsible for the modern scene in
Exeter; these are some of the guys that ran the Mount Hawke coach trips - which
funded building the first Arena Skatepark - by the same guys - which we then gifted
to the Council.
The two other pics show Arena under construction, what's there to say but a
massive THANKS to all who pitched in to make this happen, and spawn the other
parks that were to follow . . .
. . . Arena was so successful, Exeter City Council decided to build FP, and the rest,
you know. . . .
Good Work.
L-R Joe Sandland, Wayne Leigh, Tim Ruck (sitting), Mark Brown, Tim Woodrow,
Mike Hooper, Paul Foster (ass out), Death, Jonathon Piper (R.I.P.), Jason Bates (L),
Andy Sweet (behind the lens).
photo: Andy Sweet 2000
Before the hallowed ground that is FP, all we had was Arena - this is the OG set-up
that we scavenged from the old Flatspot park in Plymouth, and re-built at Arena
using funds from the legendary 'Exeter Skate Aid' trips to Mount Hawke - 50 loose
kids in a bus, smoking in the toilets and setting fire to shit in the bus; I'll never again
have to make a call to some random's parents to tell them their little darling is being
left behind in Treliske Hospital . . at least, I hope not.
Jazzy Gerald, sick bars over the barrier.
Skate pic is OG Jamison Hathway on the Arena set-up when we first finished
building it, still hans’t been given a skatelite surface at this point . . .
photos: James Jerrett by Andy Sweet 2002
Jamison Hathway by Tim Ruck 2001
Ah, the shop videos . . . .
Always a pain in the ass, from logistics of gathering footage from various sources, to
production, to premieres . . . from the early days of Cavern premieres, through to
Barnfield Theatre (banned), and finally Exeter Phoenix, sympathetic to skater/BMXer ,
um highly charged artistic temperament . . .
But so worth it, documentary evidence of the great times, tricks, people and fashions of
the years.
Search them out on theboardinghouse.eu channel on Vimeo. That's not shitty quality cos
it's online, that's us learning how to put them together!!
Thanks doesn't cover it, but we wouldn't have all this to look back on without the efforts
of:
Producers - Laurie Bowden, Paul Foster, Matt Burwood, Dan Carrington, Andy Sweet,
Andrew Jamieson, Mark Brown
Logistics - John Barlow, Death
photos: Mount Hawke bus trip shenanigans - fun, if you’re not the one ‘in charge’ . . . !
Screengrab from footage by Paul Foster 2002
Who's ticked off all the biggest, gnarliest NBD's in the BMX world of Exeter?
THIS guy, Joshy Kew. Another FP local born and bred, never turn your back cos of what you
might miss, from the parks, street spots, or swimming pools of Exeter, JQ ruins them all!
He has the Mad Touch, from riding, art, to his whole approach to the world, lovin' life, always.
photos: Grinds by Andy Sweet Wallride by Jonathon Williams
2006
2011
OG doesn't cover this dude.
BMX racing in the early 80's to Skating late 80's and on, and BMX trails/park in the 00's, allrounder is a mild description!
Paul Foster has been a mainstay around here through the full range of era's, owning/creating
private ramps many skated and rode, making videos to document skate and BMX, doing
clothing brands No-Comply (with good friend Tim Woodrow) and Tempo BMX, working with
The Boarding House on building multiple Skatepark projects in Exeter and Devon - the man
that can.
A good friend, and yet another great positive influence on the scene.
photo: Skate by Bobby Burden
BMX by Death 1992
2011
2003 and Flowerpot Skatepark is born, right column of pics is the virgin fresh park
on day we finished (vans are still in park in top pic!). The mini-ramps got added a
year later, and a new era for Exeter skating and BMX begins . . . .
The crew shots along bottom row are the new FP locals, you wanna be schooled in
skatepark life; these are your dawgs!
Comp pics clockwise Thousands of quids worth of prizes handed out to deserving winners over the years!
Check the smiles, Gav and Tim love giving stuff away!
James Callison AKA Tak AKA Naanbread dishes out a front board.
Want to run a comp, a van, box of prizes, couple of dudes with half an idea . . you’re
there!
Sounds from Highest Grade sound system, BO!!
Your M.C. today will be Paul Fozmeister, and last year, and next year . . . !! Word.
photos: Crew by Andy Sweet 2003
Park by Tim Ruck 2003
Comp pics by Death 2007 - 2010
The archetypal Exeter BMXer, Dan Neale.
Rides a lot, rides hard, rides good and kills it every spot he goes.
Apply that to partying too!
Dan's Dad Pete was also a huge help to the scene, working on the temporary ramps we
had at Arena (as part of Exeter Festival to demonstrate to E.C.C. the need for a
skatepark) and the FP build.
photos: Tim Woodrow
2006
Skateboarding made me - if this phrase was ever true, it's in referral to this dude, Dan
McDermott.
That and hanging out with Bates, Foster and Woodrow. Amazing he's as sane as he is
really - if you want to go hundreds of miles away on tour with some older skaters, hope
your parents let you, things will never be the same . . .
One of the 'young guns' that came out of the new Exeter scene started by Arena
Skatepark, Dan was an influence to a whole generation of Exeter Skaters, and with
skating like this, it's easy to see why.
photo: Tim Woodrow
2007
You never witnessed this live - you don't call yourself an FP local . . . .
Dan Oakaby iced this railing so many times the whole thing shifted back half a foot!
And his cranked lookbacks at Arena aren't half bad either . . . .
'Big Head' they call him (physically, not his self opinion!), Big Tricks would cover it
just as well.
photos: Backrail icepick by Death 2011
Lookback by Jonathan Williams 2012
Where do nicknames come from? Your deranged mates generally, just ask Jacques
(road gap) or Gwo (half cab noseslide biggie out)
photos: Jake Bartlett by Toby Butler Sam Mcallister by Toby Butler
2013
2013
The little kid (six foot) with the big airs (eight foot), no one ever went higher than
Reece Parr out of the big quarter at FP, and now, never will!
This exhibition wouldn’t be complete without a pic from Cookie Jam, put on annually
by Jamie Skinner in remembrance of FP local Jamie Bruce, R.I.P.
This pic was from the latest Cookie, Curry with a crankarm in a packed out Arena
skatepark.
photos: Reece Parr by Harry Mills Wakley
James Curry by Death
2013
2013
Holmsey, Homer, Homeslice . . . . sending it has never been a problem for this guy,
done some of the wildest drops in the EX postcode and doesn’t look like holding back
anytime soon . . . .
Barber, one of the most stylish skaters to come out of FP, after cutting his teeth
grinding the kerbs of Broadway, Alphington. Check them, opposite the convenience
store. Still bear the marks!
photos: James Holmes by Jason Colledge Paul Cooper by Toby Butler 2013
2012
Kids got pop!
Ryan 'Skelly' Evans; take nothing seriously, and defo not custom griptape jobs.
photos: Toby Butler
2012
'Skinner is a homo' it said in two foot high letters across the big quarter at FP, until
the character in question overwrote it with 'hero'.
How prophetic.
From being bossman of 'the cheese factory' Exeter's longest run ghetto indoor spot,
to driving everyone and anyone the length and breadth of the country, to running
'Cookie Jam - R.I.P. Jamie Bruce', to brainstorming Exeter RTG, Jamie Skinner is the
man.
The Exeter scene wouldn't be half what it is without the input of Bontoff, Skin Dog,
or whatever his nickname is this week!
'Nae bodda big pal'
photos: Bars 180 by Tom Goldsmith Nose wheelie by Jonathon Williams Claiming ‘ultimate local’ status with the
last pic ever at the demolished old FP
by Jason Colledge 2010
2011
2013
Harry Mills-Wakley
Another great example of how growing up within the Exeter scene can take you a
long way - in Harry’s case, from being the tiniest scrawny kid on a haggard BMX at
Arena skatepark, to his current spots on the United Bike Co World Team, Etnies UK
flow team, Eclat UK team and Ride magazine cover of July 2013.
photos: Harlequins by Tom Goldsmith
Statue gap by Jason Colledge 2011
2013
Nothing says 'Exeter' like a photo with, err, a sign saying 'Exeter' in it . . .
Our lil hometown finally gets put on the international map with Exeters most
successful skate export to date, Mr. Barney Page.
FP born and bred, from driving Foster nuts during the OG FP build to dropping jaws
at demos around the world, all taken easily in his shorts clad stride!
photos: Barrier ollie by Toby Butler Tre flip by Death 2013
2011
The Boarding House shop boards This is the selection of Boarding House graphic boards through the years. Before we
did these I’d done numerous one or two colour different logos and James Wright
designs, all hand printed on the old screen printing carousel housed in the cellar
below the shop, great days! Bit limiting, so we moved on to the full colour service.
Been really lucky in collaborating with some great local artists for these, really
proud on how they all turned out, great work beys!
Artist: James Wright - BS flip Cathedral steps photo by Tim Ruck
Official Boarding House artist in residence (til he upped sticks to other parts), he’s been responsible for design of
various ads, logos, the free Spot Guides (skatepark guide) we do, and these graphics. Stellar work, always!
First up was the Jason Bates (L) Pro Board, to honour local legend Jay Bates (L), with the teddy bear sporting the
Muska style ‘Bates’ tattoo. They didn’t all come signed by me, this was a personal ‘thanks’ one to him!
Second design was the Jay Bates (L) Pro Model 2, this one paying homage to ‘Bates the Builder’. None of these
survived unfortunately, so we mocked this one up . .
Third, where do these ideas come from, a bloke playing air guitar on a severed leg . . . be interesting to be lodged in
James’ brain, but probably only for a short period . . . .
Fourth was ‘The Dunce’, a tribute, if you can call it that! to mongo pushing tinny swillers everywhere, features Exeter
being resculpted with new Princesshay works in back ground.
Fifth design from James was the ‘The Lifer’ - despite all the other temptations being offered him, this dude just keeps
on pushin’. And ‘tache growing.
Artist: John Parkinson - Tailblock photo by Rich West
John was a long term customer and friend of the shop, and as a talented artist fancied a go at doing a
graphic, so we gave him the chance.
And he came up with this;
Sixth - a Viking riding a dragon?! - as brilliantly bonkers as the boards that had been done
previously by James, so fitted in lovely. Boarding House targets as scales, nice touch.
Artist: Mark Smith - Tweaked Sad grab at St.Sidwells photo by Mike Hooper
Seventh - so this is the latest shop graphic. A bit gonzo, yep, good, goes with what went before . .
Mark came in to say he was keen to do a board graphic, well, you don’t sleep on that eh, yes
please! And, had these printed on boards made in the U.K., A Third Foot in Birmingham, bonus.
Presents -
The Edit The work of Paul Foster, this is 20 mins of the Exeter scene through the years - but
represents so much more. Collecting footage, checking it, editing, countless phone
calls-texts-emails and more; don’t under estimate the work gone into this!
And all through times of sick children and usual life obstacles, Paul got this done for
your pleasure. He epitomises the Skate/BMX approach to me - it gets done,
whatever. ‘Thanks’ can never cover it, but his love for the scene shines through,
good job mate!
Click HERE to watch edit
Click HERE to go to Boarding House Vimeo Channel