AN ISLE of Wight skateboarding group has been blocked from giving free lessons to children — because a councillor doesn’t like its name.

John Cattle’s Skate Club is a non-profit community interest group that provides free lessons at a number of local parks during the summer holidays. The group is run by John’s well-known Isle of Wight skate company, Wight Trash.

The sessions are funded by local town and parish councils. However, when applying for a grant from East Cowes Town Council, the group was told they could only run the sessions if the name Wight Trash was removed from all branding.

In a letter to the group, the council said it was concerned about the name.

It said: “There was some concern expressed that this may not be politically correct and that it might give out the wrong impression, especially if portrayed badly in the press.

"The council would like to support your request but would need written reassurances the name ‘Wight Trash’ would not be used in any way, shape or form in connection with any grant given by the town council or at any event held here in East Cowes or in any publicity or reports to the press.”

John, who runs the sessions, said they could not go ahead as many of the boards were branded with the name.

He said: “We have never had any problems or issues with the name until now.

“I am really proud of our name and what we have achieved and what we do for the community. It is one of the few internationally recognised brands that has the name of the Island in it.

“Getting the letter was a shock and a surprise. It isn’t a Wight Trash event, it’s John Cattle’s Skate Club, but we can’t guarantee kids won’t turn up with the name on their shirts, their helmets, their boards.”

One of the councillors who expressed concerns over the name was Cllr Karl Love — who said it was ‘inappropriate in this day and age.’

Cllr Love, who said he was a youth community worker, said: “What are the children going to think when they hear that name being used? An organisation that has trash in the name is not appropriate.

“The name has negative connotations and it is not acceptable for me on an equality front.”

He said although he supported the work the group did, he could not support the name.

He said other organisations could provide the service through a tendering process.

However, John Cattle said the name, which has been part of the brand for 15 years, has never caused any concerns.

He said: “I am really proud of the group and the name, and it seems Cllr Love does not get it. It’s ridiculous.

“Someone who does not know anything about our brand, or what we do, has not done his research into the organisation.

“It’s just a fun, silly name. He has made a snap judgement about us. We have explained what we stand for, we have given evidence of the work that we do, and we hope that that will be enough for councillors to see there are no issues at all. All we want is for people to get the chance to skateboard, and as always we don't discriminate.

“Now the children of East Cowes — who may not have been able to afford this opportunity — are missing out on regular, weekly sessions. These kids are really at the core of what we do and we have never had a problem like this before.”

However, John said he had received some incredible offers of support: "Individuals and businesses have offered to finance sessions themselves to make sure they happen. We really do have the best community on the Island."

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