Sport Rollin' rollin'

Anyone remember the Bay City Rollers? Well, you can forget 'em: the Belgium Rollers are today's hot gang. After the storming success of Friday evening roller-blade parades in Brussels over the last couple of years, which saw Avenue Louise closed to traffic and roller-police escorts, events organiser Carl De Moncharline and his friends are at it again. The Belgium Rollers Summer Tour starts tomorrow, June 27, in the capital (starting in the Bois de la Cambre), but goes way beyond it this year, with regular meets planned for six other Belgian towns (Hasselt on Monday, Namur on Tuesday, etc) right through to August 31 – weather permitting. In Brussels there will be two routes: one similar to last year, and another slightly longer one. The parades – which are free to enter – are escorted front and back, with ambulance back-up and stewards (would-be volunteers should see www.plumridge.be). Beginners are not welcome until they can skate comfortably and brake. Children must wear helmets, wrist, elbow and knee protection and adults are advised to do the same. The website www.belgiumrollers.com (or tel 0900.24.064) has all the details in English, plus tips on where to hire skates and beginners advice. It also reminds us that it was a Belgian, John Joseph Merlin of Huy, who created the first pair of roller blades in 1760. Rawhide!