Focus on Heywood: Heywood BMX club

Want to buy this photo?

Photo: Laura Wild

The official opening of the track in November 2009

Almost one year ago the Heywood BMX track situated in the award winning Queen’s Park was officially opened by the then Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift.

Twelve months since the track and the associated club, the Roch Valley Raiders have gone from strength to strength, Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild, met with the woman that made it happen, Yvonne Mills. 

In 2008, Yvonne and her husband Craig bought their two children bikes for Christmas, they knew the track existed but at that time it was in a very bad state of repair – between them the couple decided they wanted to do something with it.

Yvonne works with local youth charity Catch 22 and through that she was pointed in the right direction.

The park’ warden at the time, Cameron Baines, informed the hopeful couple that there was no money available and if they wanted to improve the track they would have to do it themselves.

Through endless research Yvonne found that youngsters in Heywood did want more cycling opportunities. With help from Heywood PC Darrell Butterworth Yvonne was made aware of the Community Cash back scheme and that is where the funding for the track came from.

From setting up the track and the hard work involved in maintaining it the couple decided to set up a club, this being the Roach Valley Raiders, unknown to Yvonne the 80’s club which she was trying to revive was spelt “Roch Valley Raiders” as of September this year the name has been changed.

The raiders attend regional events and BMX races and soon Craig will also be qualified to offer coaching classes to the young people who are involved.

A few weeks ago the Roch Valley Raiders participated in the British Championships, with little training and just six riders they came 48 out of 57 – not a bad first attempt.

“It is a huge achievement,” said Yvonne.

A big aim for Yvonne and her team is to keep using the track and being in the club “affordable”

Speaking about her involvement Yvonne said: “It has encompassed my whole life and my husband’s and two children – but it is so rewarding.

“It takes a lot of commitment from both us and the young people – we want it to be theirs and for them to own the track that way they will look after it”

Yvonne and Craig spend every Saturday at the track, in theory they are there 10-12 but in reality it is more like 10-3 because so many people come along and one Sunday a month they take part in races.

Speaking about the members, Yvonne said: “We run all year round, now it is getting to the cold and wet weather the numbers are going down but we have some young people who are very dedicated and they are here come rain or shine – we even had some here when it snowed back in January.”


Over the past 12 months Yvonne says there have been many highlights, one of which was winning the CTC volunteer of the year award, coming third nationally and first in the North West and being nominated for CTC volunteer of the year and voluntary group of the year.

When asked what has kept Yvonne going for the past two years she said: “stubbornness!”

Like with any job or any projects there have been low points to setting up the track and the group.

Yvonne spoke of the litter and vandalism which takes place which can be disheartening but the most heart wrenching thing that happened at the track since the launch in November was the death of a 17-year-old boy who died following an accident at the track.

Jamie Helme-Sagar, 17, from Dukinfield wasn’t wearing a helmet and his parents are now starting a campaign to urge people to wear one.

The main aim over the next six months is to get a working start gate at the track, Yvonne feels this will really make a difference and it will give the young people at the track the chance to experience what a real race is like.

In the future, Yvonne hopes that the club can branch out to mountain bike riding too, she said: “We don’t want to be just BMX-ing we want to do everything, a long term aim is to have mountain biking.”

When asked where Yvonne gets her energy from she said: “It is infectious!” she is now also helping other clubs starting up across the country by sharing her own hints and tips.

Yvonne is keen for people to know where the club is from when they attend events, she said: “I want everyone to know that we are from Heywood, I want to get our name out there. Putting Heywood on the map is beneficial for everyone.


“We are here for the long run, without a doubt,”
“The popularity of the track just goes to show that this was needed in the area.

“It is nothing like I imagined – it is better.

“The Friend’s of Queen’s Park have been nothing but fantastic and Shelia Hill is inspirational.

Yvonne concluded: “I wouldn’t swap any of it – it has brought our family together – how many people can say that?”