How two schoolboys used lockdown to create their own amazing BMX track in a village near Harborough

Two schoolboys have maxed out the Covid-19 lockdown by creating their own amazing BMX track in a village near Market Harborough.

Oliver Bunce and Ned Corry, both 14, didn’t need to be told to get on their bikes as the coronavirus pandemic swept the country earlier this year.

The two inspired best mates leapt straight into action as they were forced to stay at home from school.

And, backed up by a veritable legion of village youngsters, Oliver and Ned more than did their bit for the picture postcard village of Hallaton by transforming an unused patch of woodland into a jawdropping new BMX circuit.

Oliver’s mum Lisa Bunce, 48, said: “We are so proud of both Oliver and Ned.

“They have both done such a tremendous job.

“This really is such a positive good news story among all the gloom and doom we’ve got at the moment.”

The delighted mum-of-three said Oliver and Ned, who lives in nearby Tur Langton, had their brilliant brainwave after the park, cricket nets and tennis courts were shut amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Suddenly everywhere was closed and there was nowhere they could play.

“So they came across this small wooded area less than five minutes’ walk from our home here in Hallaton,” said Lisa.

“They are both very much into their BMX and Oliver does a lot of mountain biking with his dad Jamie as well, he’s a very sporty lad.

“So the two lads began to work on the site – with the full blessing of the parish council, who’ve been great.

“Oliver and Ned made special jumps and burns for riders.

“They literally went round the village door to door asking people to donate what ever spare wood they had.

“They’d take our axes and other tools along with them while an urgent delivery of nails would just turn up in the post!

“They stripped down a wardrobe we didn’t need and were so excited about any wood they could get from anywhere,” said Lisa, who said both Oliver and Ned attend Leicester Grammar School.

“They’d be out there working so hard all day – till 9 at night sometimes.

“Both Oliver and Ned put so much energy, drive, practical skills and imagination into carving out this new BMX arena.

“Villagers would tell us that it brought them so much joy to see the two boys being so focused, creative and constructive and improving our own backyard.

“And one of the best things was that a lot of the little ones in Hallaton, some as young as five, were so keen and pleased to get involved.

“They went along every day, they were so eager to help out, and they were amazing.

“Oliver and Ned would give them their own little jobs and tasks, it was phenomenal to see.

“The young ones would even come round and knock on the door for Oliver, asking if he could come out to play!

“Both Oliver and Ned have covered themselves in glory.

“They could have been sitting at home playing on their Xboxes or PlayStations or wasting their time.

“But they used the lockdown to give our beautiful little village a fantastic space for the kids to play in and enjoy.

“And the children have loved it too, it’s been one great big adventure for all of them.

“We really are so proud of both Oliver and Ned, they deserve every last bit of praise going.”