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Fenland Ice Skating
Fen Skating now has it's own website: www.fenskating.co.uk
Fenland skaters are now on Twitter: twitter.com/FenSkaters
Take a look at the new SnOasis project in Suffolk, for which David Lowe, director of EWS is the property agent . This new venue will include a 400m covered long track speed rink and other recreational skating facilities!
Skating Conditions update:
We are the Welney division of the Fenland Skating Centre, keeping up to date information on the condition of the Welney Wash, and information on Whittlesey and Bury Fen, as and when we receive confirmation of the conditions.
The National Ice Skating Website offers updated information on news and events www.iceskating.org.uk/
ICE UPDATE: We have now started posting regular weather updates and ice conditions for the 2011/2012 season - please visit: www.gileslandscapes.co.uk/when-and-where.aspx
03/02/12
The cold is here and the ice is getting thicker - some places should see some skating over the next few days!
15/01/12 - Maybe some skating this Winter, plenty of water at Welney
It was not too far away from skating today but not there yet. Keep checking our updates.
16/12/11
Sleet and perhaps some snow forcast over the next couple of days but we would need a very hard and persistent frost to allow for any skating - this looks fairly unlikely over the next few days. If we do get the conditions the Whittlesey will be the best bet for any skating.
Fingers crossed for over the Christmas holidays!
07/12/11
Whittlesey water level rising and would be the best chance of good skating should it freeze - Welney has enough water for fun skating if we get a hard frost.
28/11/11
The new cycle path from Cambridge Science Park to St Ives is now open! It can be used for cycles, walking, horse riding and inline skating - so great news for when there is no ice!
14/11/11
Water levels are rising on the river Delph and small flashes of water are appearing on the Welney Wash - just enough for practise skating should it freeze.
09/11/11
One great way to get in shape for this winter's skating is inline skating as demonstrated here by David Lowe, the land agent for the SnOasis. David skated the 20 mile guided bus way into Cambridge averaging 8 miles per hour on inline roller blades.
Its strange to think that this time last year we only had two weeks to wait until there was skating on real ice in the Fens... Could history repeat itself?
05/10/11
Its hard to believe after the temperatures of the last few days that this time last year we were a few short weeks away from skating!
The beginning of November last year saw skating conditions as good as those usually found in the depths of winter but by January it was all over.
Let's hope there is good skating to be had this year! There is also a strong possibility of early ice again so keep checking back here to check on our latest updates!
Meanwhile David Lowe who last year you may remember retraced the steps of former Fen champions by navigating the icy wilds of the local water ways, has just sent us information that the new winter sports complex, SnOasis is forging ahead!
02/03/11
On this day way back in 1986 racing was held on the River Bedford just east of the Welney hotel. The winner of the Turkey Smart cup was Alan Fisher from Lincolnshire and the winner of the under 16's cup was Adam Giles (my son!). Cups were presented by C W Horn multiple champion and Olympic skater. What a Winter that was!
11/02/11
Calling all fen skaters - young and old - good and a bit wobbly! Sheffield Speed Skating Club are holding a carnival of events whilst the the World Short track speed skating Championships are being held. The carnival kicks off on Friday 11th March so get your skates on!
For more information, please follow this link: Carnival Time!
07/02/11
Turned very mild although colder conditions are set to return nearing the end of February!
26/01/11
Set to get colder by the end of the week! Meanwhile check this article out about Roger talking about the flooding at Welney: Wisbech Standard Article
24/01/11
Doesn't look promising for this week - no ice
17/01/11
Still no ice - keep and eye on the weather as the nights are set to get colder!
14/01/11
No ice at the moment due to such mild weather! The cold is set to make a return next week so stay tuned!
08/12/10
Here's a link to a news piece that appeared on ITV last night - (thanks to Rose Dixon for the link)
http://www.itv.com/anglia/fen-skaters05288/
Here's another great link from David Lowe touring abroad - Scandinavian style cross country skating!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHxJJUKjtkU
And another one from the Eastern Daily Press: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/get_your_skates_on_it_s_lunch_on_ice_at_welney_1_748218
Fenland Skating for the first time in 5 years
For the first time in 5 years last winter, part of Welney Wash was used as an ice skating rink.
Skating enthusiasts used to enjoy skating on the Wash every year, but recent mild winters have meant no skating has taken place there since the end of 2003. Here's hoping the 2009/10 season will be a good one!
The last Fenland Skating Championships were held in 1997, some 11 years ago, and the last major races were held way back in 1986 where the great Babs Horn (Adam Giles' Great Uncle) ex Olympic and British skating and cycling champion presented the awards.
Last winter members of Welney and District Skating Club were delighted to find the waters frozen over and conditions good enough to skate on.
Club chairman Roger Giles from Giles Landscapes, a sponsor of the skating said: "I was delighted when I saw the ice this morning and it's been great fun to be out there again.
"I've had emails from skating enthusiasts from all over the country wanting to know about Welney Wash.”
"We're hopeful that the British and Fenland Skating Championships can be held at the weekend. It could be at Welney, Whittlesey or Bury Fen depending on the condition of the ice at all of these locations.”
"It could be held either on the Saturday or the Sunday - we will know more later this week."
Organised ice skating in Britain started in the Fens, more specifically Welney.
Welney has a dedicated ice skating pub, The Lamb and Flag Inn where you can see photographs of past and present speed skating champions from the area. We have collected a bit of an archive ourselves from over the years dating back to 1850 and up and until the last skating in 2003.
Disclaimer: Any Skating on the Fens is done at the skaters’ own risk. No company or persons can be held responsible for any injury or loss of life. Never skate on rivers, lakes or dykes where the water depth exceeds 4 inches.
