Minutes of meeting held at Park Farm Hotel - April 22nd, 2013
Apologies
Apologies were received from Toni and Jacqui Horsfield, Gary Wyatt, Maria Alborough, Steve Taylor, Alex Bond, Mark Heazle, Russell Attfield, Helen Lawn and Leslie Dale
Round Table Introductions
There were 15 present – Peter Steward (chair), Shane Hull (treasurer), Peter Hoult (Sec), Mel Perkins MBE, Fiona Whiting, Colin McDermott, Harold Kerslake, Nigel Bailey, David Bills Everett, Alison Utting, Tony Vale, Michelle Melton, Martin Anderton, Joe Edwards, Paul Evans. All introduced themselves individually.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
These had been circulated and were taken as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Shane reported that the bank account currently contains £157. It was decided to continue asking clubs affiliated to the association to pay an annual £5 subscription, but to remove the £2 charge for individual members. Shane will send a list of those having paid to the secretary and the other participating clubs will be approached.
New Clubs Reports
Paul Evans reported on the success of social running groups set up jointly by Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association and Active Norfolk. The Monday morning group will re-start at 9.15 a.m on March 11th on the Memorial Playing Field and the Thursday evening group will re-start at Hethersett Junior School from 7 p.m on April 18th. Paul re-iterated his offer to provide fitness training to sports groups. The chairman will co-ordinate any requests for this and pass on details to Paul. The association expressed its appreciation for the work undertaken by Paul and Active Norfolk in promoting running in the village.
Peter Hoult reported on the success of the come and try table tennis evening at Hethersett Methodist Church which had attracted over 40 people and which is likely to become a weekly event.
Peter Steward outlined plans for come and try events and start-ups for tennis clubs at Hethersett and Little Melton and a summer family rounders club. The British Rounders Association is likely to support the latter and Peter will liaise with Mark Heazle on this.
Peter Hoult mentioned the idea of providing a board games/cards evening for older people and this is something that will be discussed at a later date.
The Success Story So Far and Coming and Past Events
Shane Hull reported on this year’s open weekend which will feature numerous attractions including Sport in the Park and village fete on July 6th, the annual ladies five-a-side football tournament and round the village funrun on July 7th and a host of other entertainments and art events.
Peter Steward reported on the Come and Try Sports Event being organised in conjunction with Active Norfolk on May 22nd from 6 to 9 p.m. Sports already lined-up include archery, athletics, cycle speedway, football, cricket, rounders. It is hoped to add at least one more.
Peter Hoult reported on improvements to the Memorial Field including plans to obtain grants to enhance and extend the existing pavilion to provide better changing facilities and toilets accessible from the outside and a purpose built kitchen. In the long term the trustees are investigating the funding of a proper, possibly “green build” that will meet the needs of modern club and social use. The sports association will work with South Norfolk Council, Sport England and the County Council to attract grants. Other improvements planned for 2013 include a wide range of pitch markings for the use of various clubs and activities throughout the summer – including a running track around the perimeter.
Peter Steward reported on the South Norfolk Village Games which will be held at Framingham Earl on June 9th Hethersett will be going for a hat-trick of wins. Sports included this year will be archery, athletics, badminton, climbing wall, darts, fitness triathlon, five-a-side football, rounders, short mat bowls, table tennis and tennis. Peter will be sending out e-mails to those who represented the village in last year’s tournament.
It was reported that Hethersett failed to raise teams for the Active Norfolk Alternative Village Games. It was agreed that we should try again in 2014.
Martin Anderton reported on the coming Hethersett 30/60 cycle event which is fully subscribed with 500 riders and a waiting list of 120.
Tony Vale reported on his contact with Hethersett Hall and the possibility of arranging a sporting/fitness event there in the future – probably on the lawn. Peter Steward offered to meet with the management and Tony to take this idea forward.
Peter Steward reported that since the last meeting Hethersett had been named Pride in Norfolk Community of the Year and the running group had been named Run England Eastern Region Group of the Year for 2012.
Fiona Whiting reported on her work with local schools and initiatives for the future.
Hethersett Netball Club will be organising a team for the Active Norfolk netball tournament at Dereham on April 28th.
Shane Hull promoted a coming exhibition at Norwich Forum which will feature a number of artefacts from Hethersett’s Olympic year. The village fun run is featured prominently on posters advertising the event.
Joe Edwards agreed to produce figures with regards to corporate membership of Fitness Express at Park Farm.
Northern River Valleys Board
Nigel Bailey and David Bills reported that the association has been successful with its grant application and the chairman will liaise with Mark Heazle to set up criteria for spending the money. Discussion will take place at the next Association meeting on the distribution of funds designed to set up new groups, support existing groups and promote the association to a wider audience. The chairman thanked Nigel, Mark and David for all their support.
Monetary grants have also been made to Hethersett Athletic Football Club for new goals on the Memorial Field and Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club for PA equipment which will also be made available for public events and use by other member groups of the association.
Skateboard Park
Alison Utting agreed to put together a feasibility report for the association’s next meeting. The matter of upgrading equipment and soundproofing has been referred to the association by Hethersett Parish Council. The association also suggested the possibility of a free-run structure to possibly replace the deteriorating skateboard equipment.
Campaigns Update
Peter Steward reported that great steps had been taken in the villages to encourage more participation in sport by girls and women. Many of the clubs and groups now had a majority of female participants and this seemed to be increasing. Hethersett Netball Club will shortly be launching a new girls team.
One of the association’s other campaigns is to support facilities and this is being carried out through the setting up of new clubs and provision of new equipment through the River Valleys’ grant. Also through work to improve the pavilion on the Memorial Field as outlined above.
It was agreed that the association should work with the district and county councils to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school and when moving about the villages. Publicity to also be sought to improve cycle paths between Little Melton and Hethersett and Hethersett and Wymondham.
Marketing and Promotion
Peter Hoult offered to prepare some letterheads and flyers using the association logo.
HaMSA will have a presence at the Sport in the Park event and it is hoped that all interested parties may have the individual flyers ready for distribution within the ‘health pack folders’ supplied by South Norfolk Council. The coming grant will allow the association to produce a corporate identity.
Health Packs Update
A concerted effort will be made to put together health packs for distribution to the public at events later in the year. The chairman will e-mail members asking for leaflets.
Any Other Business
Peter Hoult suggested that association members could procure sports equipment from a single source to include affiliated club discount. Peter Steward suggested that when the association seek new equipment with the River Valley’s funding this could be discussed with various suppliers.
Peter Hoult mentioned the possibility of association members forming a Dragon Boat Race team at Oulton Broad on June 9th. Members will be notified
Thanks were expressed to Richard Bond and Park Farm for the use of their facilities.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
Monday 15th April at 7.30 p.m in the Ellingham Suite at Park Farm Hotel.
Apologies were received from Toni and Jacqui Horsfield, Gary Wyatt, Maria Alborough, Steve Taylor, Alex Bond, Mark Heazle, Russell Attfield, Helen Lawn and Leslie Dale
Round Table Introductions
There were 15 present – Peter Steward (chair), Shane Hull (treasurer), Peter Hoult (Sec), Mel Perkins MBE, Fiona Whiting, Colin McDermott, Harold Kerslake, Nigel Bailey, David Bills Everett, Alison Utting, Tony Vale, Michelle Melton, Martin Anderton, Joe Edwards, Paul Evans. All introduced themselves individually.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
These had been circulated and were taken as read.
Treasurer’s Report
Shane reported that the bank account currently contains £157. It was decided to continue asking clubs affiliated to the association to pay an annual £5 subscription, but to remove the £2 charge for individual members. Shane will send a list of those having paid to the secretary and the other participating clubs will be approached.
New Clubs Reports
Paul Evans reported on the success of social running groups set up jointly by Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association and Active Norfolk. The Monday morning group will re-start at 9.15 a.m on March 11th on the Memorial Playing Field and the Thursday evening group will re-start at Hethersett Junior School from 7 p.m on April 18th. Paul re-iterated his offer to provide fitness training to sports groups. The chairman will co-ordinate any requests for this and pass on details to Paul. The association expressed its appreciation for the work undertaken by Paul and Active Norfolk in promoting running in the village.
Peter Hoult reported on the success of the come and try table tennis evening at Hethersett Methodist Church which had attracted over 40 people and which is likely to become a weekly event.
Peter Steward outlined plans for come and try events and start-ups for tennis clubs at Hethersett and Little Melton and a summer family rounders club. The British Rounders Association is likely to support the latter and Peter will liaise with Mark Heazle on this.
Peter Hoult mentioned the idea of providing a board games/cards evening for older people and this is something that will be discussed at a later date.
The Success Story So Far and Coming and Past Events
Shane Hull reported on this year’s open weekend which will feature numerous attractions including Sport in the Park and village fete on July 6th, the annual ladies five-a-side football tournament and round the village funrun on July 7th and a host of other entertainments and art events.
Peter Steward reported on the Come and Try Sports Event being organised in conjunction with Active Norfolk on May 22nd from 6 to 9 p.m. Sports already lined-up include archery, athletics, cycle speedway, football, cricket, rounders. It is hoped to add at least one more.
Peter Hoult reported on improvements to the Memorial Field including plans to obtain grants to enhance and extend the existing pavilion to provide better changing facilities and toilets accessible from the outside and a purpose built kitchen. In the long term the trustees are investigating the funding of a proper, possibly “green build” that will meet the needs of modern club and social use. The sports association will work with South Norfolk Council, Sport England and the County Council to attract grants. Other improvements planned for 2013 include a wide range of pitch markings for the use of various clubs and activities throughout the summer – including a running track around the perimeter.
Peter Steward reported on the South Norfolk Village Games which will be held at Framingham Earl on June 9th Hethersett will be going for a hat-trick of wins. Sports included this year will be archery, athletics, badminton, climbing wall, darts, fitness triathlon, five-a-side football, rounders, short mat bowls, table tennis and tennis. Peter will be sending out e-mails to those who represented the village in last year’s tournament.
It was reported that Hethersett failed to raise teams for the Active Norfolk Alternative Village Games. It was agreed that we should try again in 2014.
Martin Anderton reported on the coming Hethersett 30/60 cycle event which is fully subscribed with 500 riders and a waiting list of 120.
Tony Vale reported on his contact with Hethersett Hall and the possibility of arranging a sporting/fitness event there in the future – probably on the lawn. Peter Steward offered to meet with the management and Tony to take this idea forward.
Peter Steward reported that since the last meeting Hethersett had been named Pride in Norfolk Community of the Year and the running group had been named Run England Eastern Region Group of the Year for 2012.
Fiona Whiting reported on her work with local schools and initiatives for the future.
Hethersett Netball Club will be organising a team for the Active Norfolk netball tournament at Dereham on April 28th.
Shane Hull promoted a coming exhibition at Norwich Forum which will feature a number of artefacts from Hethersett’s Olympic year. The village fun run is featured prominently on posters advertising the event.
Joe Edwards agreed to produce figures with regards to corporate membership of Fitness Express at Park Farm.
Northern River Valleys Board
Nigel Bailey and David Bills reported that the association has been successful with its grant application and the chairman will liaise with Mark Heazle to set up criteria for spending the money. Discussion will take place at the next Association meeting on the distribution of funds designed to set up new groups, support existing groups and promote the association to a wider audience. The chairman thanked Nigel, Mark and David for all their support.
Monetary grants have also been made to Hethersett Athletic Football Club for new goals on the Memorial Field and Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club for PA equipment which will also be made available for public events and use by other member groups of the association.
Skateboard Park
Alison Utting agreed to put together a feasibility report for the association’s next meeting. The matter of upgrading equipment and soundproofing has been referred to the association by Hethersett Parish Council. The association also suggested the possibility of a free-run structure to possibly replace the deteriorating skateboard equipment.
Campaigns Update
Peter Steward reported that great steps had been taken in the villages to encourage more participation in sport by girls and women. Many of the clubs and groups now had a majority of female participants and this seemed to be increasing. Hethersett Netball Club will shortly be launching a new girls team.
One of the association’s other campaigns is to support facilities and this is being carried out through the setting up of new clubs and provision of new equipment through the River Valleys’ grant. Also through work to improve the pavilion on the Memorial Field as outlined above.
It was agreed that the association should work with the district and county councils to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school and when moving about the villages. Publicity to also be sought to improve cycle paths between Little Melton and Hethersett and Hethersett and Wymondham.
Marketing and Promotion
Peter Hoult offered to prepare some letterheads and flyers using the association logo.
HaMSA will have a presence at the Sport in the Park event and it is hoped that all interested parties may have the individual flyers ready for distribution within the ‘health pack folders’ supplied by South Norfolk Council. The coming grant will allow the association to produce a corporate identity.
Health Packs Update
A concerted effort will be made to put together health packs for distribution to the public at events later in the year. The chairman will e-mail members asking for leaflets.
Any Other Business
Peter Hoult suggested that association members could procure sports equipment from a single source to include affiliated club discount. Peter Steward suggested that when the association seek new equipment with the River Valley’s funding this could be discussed with various suppliers.
Peter Hoult mentioned the possibility of association members forming a Dragon Boat Race team at Oulton Broad on June 9th. Members will be notified
Thanks were expressed to Richard Bond and Park Farm for the use of their facilities.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
Monday 15th April at 7.30 p.m in the Ellingham Suite at Park Farm Hotel.