Minutes of meeting of Hethersett and Meltons’ Sports Association (HAMSA) at Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, January 11th, 2016
Apologies
Apologies were received from Wayne Johnson, Rachel Pailes, Jackie Sutton, Gary Wyatt, Bobby Dowling and Ian Fieldhouse..
Round Table Introductions
There were 17 present and the meeting started with round the table introductions. Present were – Mark Heazle, David Bills, Patricia Mills, Mel Perkins, Paul Suggitt, Mary Tuddenham, Helen Lawn, Stephen Slack, John Nightingale, Viv Hawes, Michelle Harrison, Ian Harrison, Ron Butcher, Leslie Dale, Shane Hull, Peter Hoult and Peter Steward.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
These had been circulated and were taken as read.
Matters Arising
None
Treasurer’s Report
Shane Hull (SH) produced the latest accounts showing a balance of £1,758.15. Membership fees and forms are now due and these were distributed. Membership remains at £5 for clubs and free for individuals. A copy of the latest accounts will be made available on the association’s web site. The membership form is also available on the web site.
Future Facilities in Hethersett
Mark Heazle (MH) and David Bills (DB) from South Norfolk Council outlined plans for upgraded and new facilities on Hethersett Academy land. South Norfolk is looking to put together a business case, apply for grants and manage a new sports complex at the Academy to include all weather playing surface and other facilities. This is part of their strategy to support schools and local communities and will involve dual use of the facilities between the school and community (out of school hours). The facilities will be available to the community after 5 p.m on school days and from 9 am until 9 pm at weekends. The new measures will improve both the sports facilities for the school and the wider community with priority booking going to local clubs with the possibility of a number of membership categories. Mark stated that Hethersett and the Meltons’ Sports Association would play a key part in ensuring the use of the facilities by local people. South Norfolk will continue to liaise closely with HAMSA on the matter. Peter Hoult (PH) felt that the relationship between Hethersett Academy and the local community has been improving. SH underlined the role that an existing number of directors of a Community Interest Company will play in the matter.
Future of the Sports Association and Sport/Leisure
Peter Steward (PS) introduced this item and led a discussion on a more strategic role for the sports association, being the first port of call for matters relating to well being, sport and fitness. The association needs to make the most of being awarded a Big Society award. It is hoped that a meeting can be called in the near future involving South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon to discuss how to enhance and promote Hethersett and its continuance of the Olympic Legacy.
South Norfolk is recognised as the fittest area in the county with more people taking part in sport and regular exercise than in any other part of the county. MH and DB stated that the sports association was a unique group in Norfolk and had contributed significantly to the fitness figures for South Norfolk.
Hethersett Open Weekend 2016
SH stated that this year’s run the square funrun will take place on June 26th, avoiding the Norfolk Village Games and Norwich Lord Mayor’s Procession weekends. It was agreed to drop the come and try sports event which failed to attract sufficient numbers in 2015.
Applications for Grants
There were no new applications for grants, although SH pointed out that finance still exists to support new start-up and existing groups.
Presentation by Norfolk Football Company
Paul Suggitt (PSu) introduced his new company Norfolk Football Ltd which has moved away from the Dynamic group. Paul can supply sports clothing for all sports and not just football. He offered catalogues to interested clubs. A new web site will be launched in the near future and this will be linked to and from the sports association. Mel Perkins (MP) stated that Hethersett Athletic Football Club has enjoyed a close working relationship with Psu and recommended his services.
Sports Clubs/Groups Updates and Coming Events
Hethersett Olympic Legacy Sports Complex (HOLSC)
SH updated the meeting on the current position regarding the setting up of a Community Interest Company to work alongside Hethersett Academy and South Norfolk Council. The next meeting will be in the Spring.
Hethersett Velo Club
Nothing has been heard from Hethersett Velo Club. PS said he would try and find out whether the annual Hethersett 30/60/90 would be taking place in 2016.
Hethersett Croquet Club
The club continues to be popular with two lawns on the Memorial Playing Field. It is currently enjoying a winter break but in 2016 will run from April until at least the end of September on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The group has about 25 members.
Hethersett Netball Club
Helen Lawn (HL) reported that the club’s junior section has 25 members with between 17 and 20 turning up each week. Friendlies are lined-up and new kit has been purchased. The senior club has two teams in the UEA Indoor League
Skateboard Facilities
There was nobody present from the skateboard group. A general discussion took place on the viability of spending money to repair and improve the park and who would take on the running. PS will try to make contact with the people who previously showed an interest
Hethersett Badminton Club
PH reported that the new season has commenced with about 30 senior players and a similar number of juniors. Coaching is going well and club activity is split between Hethersett Academy and Hethersett Old Hall School.
Hethersett Running Group
PS will contact Paul Evans to see if more coaching is available for 2016 leading up to the village funrun. There was also a discussion about Hethersett holding a regular park run. SH stated that a junior park run in Hethersett had been discussed and he will keep an ear out for any developments.
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Bowls Club
Ron Butcher (RB) stated that the club is on its winter break but work has been carried out on the green ahead of an April start to the season. New players are always welcome.
Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club
MP reported that 2016 will be Hawks’ Golden Jubilee and a number of special events will be lined-up. The team will be competing in the South East League again and will be travelling as far afield as Eastbourne. The club is also considering entering the European Club Championships in Poland. Hawks are in negotiations with a new sponsor to replace Swinton & Co Accountants who have decided not to renew their deal with the club after an 11 year association.
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trust
MP reported on the latest situation with regard to the refurbishment and improvements to the pavilion on the Memorial Playing Field, with grant applications in with Sport England and also being lodged with the Football Foundation. It is hoped to start on the building work in 2016. A new gate is being put into place at the entrance to the field and consideration is being given to putting a barrier between the car park and the grass bank to prevent cars illegally accessing the field. The football pitches have been vertidrained with the cost being met by the Trustees and Hethersett Athletic Football Club. Psu offered some bio product to help fertilise parts of the field and this offer will be taken up by the Bowls and Croquet Clubs.
Norfolk Village Games 2015
HL reported on various events being organised by Active Norfolk under the Village Games banner. Hethersett had failed to get a team for the badminton event but have entered two sides in the indoor rounders at the end of January. It was agreed that the £20 entry fee should be met from Sports association funds. The main village games finals will take place on July 10th. The annual netball tournament will take place in April.
Hethersett Dementia Group
DB reported on the possibility of purchasing gym equipment to help dementia sufferers. He is working on this with Age UK. The monthly Hethersett Hub Dementia Café has moved from Hethersett Hall to Hethersett Methodist Church Hall with the first meeting scheduled for January 19th.
Hethersett Jubilee Youth Club
Leslie Dale (LD) gave an update on life at the youth club with a couple of incidents of vandalism. The club has two water urns and gazebos available for hire. The club has a new youth leader and is looking for a grant to pay for youngsters to visit the dry ski slope in Norwich and also have a new pool table.
Hethersett Athletic Football Club
MP reported that the season is progressing well with the club’s Saturday Men’s team having reached the quarter-finals of the Norfolk Primary Cup where they will be playing a team from King’s Lynn on January 16th. The club is looking to move the Under-9s and Under-10s to a seven a side pitch on the Memorial Field after problems with the pitch at Hethersett Junior School.
Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club
PS reported on a substantial grant from South Norfolk Council which will allow the club to purchase a new roller. The club will be holding its annual match in aid of the Starthrowers Cancer Charity on April 17th with food and bar all day. The club’s annual meeting will be held in February.
Hethersett Methodist Table Tennis Club
This continues to meet at Hethersett Methodist Church on Friday evenings from 7 until 9 p.m and currently provides table tennis for a number of young players. Its existence is being monitored to ensure that it remains viable.
Respect Yourself
No members of the charity were present but PS reported on the new app which has been launched.
Rowan House
Mary Tuddenham (MT) outlined the success of the new Health Hub in the former business centre in Queen’s Road which was opened at the beginning of October. Rachel Pailes (Mary’s daughter) is managing the complex which includes physiotherapy, sports massage, hypnotherapy, acupuncture and many others.
New Clubs
There is the chance of setting up a new basketball group if suitable premises can be found. PS has received a request for an indoor short tennis club and is trying to find somebody to organise this. PH outlined a walking football group at Horsford that needs new members and asked about the possibility of starting up such a group in Hethersett. MP stated that Hethersett Athletic Football Club would be happy to take such a group under its wing, provided people come forward to organise it. PS will also look into the possibility of setting up a tennis group in the summer.
Tour of Britain Cycle Race
SH gave a retrospective look at the race which came through Hethersett in September. Hethersett Environmental Action Team (HEAT) produced floral displays on the day and a number of businesses mounted displays. Hundreds of people lined the streets despite inclement weather and the village supported the event well.
Proposed Fireworks Event
MP gave an update on the possibility of groups working together with Crusaders Rugby Club to provide a fireworks event in November. DB asked for the matter to be placed on the association’s next agenda when he would have some news.
Marketing and Promotion of the Association
There are plans for a series of self financing publications with a sporting theme to be written/published in 2016. Shane Hull is working on a publication on the Olympic Legacy, Mel Perkins is preparing a publication to mark the 50th anniversary of Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway, Peter Steward is writing a history of Hethersett Athletic Football Club to mark its 25th anniversary. There are also plans to write an updated history of Hethersett Cricket Club (now Hethersett and Tas Valley). Much of the work for the cricket book is already in existence having been written by Peter Harris and Harold Kerslake. There was also a discussion on further promoting the association and Psu offered to help with the production of posters.MP suggested further promotion of HAMSA through schools
Date of Next Meeting
Monday 11th April, 2016, at 7.30 p.m at Park Farm Hotel (subject to confirmation).
Apologies
Apologies were received from Wayne Johnson, Rachel Pailes, Jackie Sutton, Gary Wyatt, Bobby Dowling and Ian Fieldhouse..
Round Table Introductions
There were 17 present and the meeting started with round the table introductions. Present were – Mark Heazle, David Bills, Patricia Mills, Mel Perkins, Paul Suggitt, Mary Tuddenham, Helen Lawn, Stephen Slack, John Nightingale, Viv Hawes, Michelle Harrison, Ian Harrison, Ron Butcher, Leslie Dale, Shane Hull, Peter Hoult and Peter Steward.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
These had been circulated and were taken as read.
Matters Arising
None
Treasurer’s Report
Shane Hull (SH) produced the latest accounts showing a balance of £1,758.15. Membership fees and forms are now due and these were distributed. Membership remains at £5 for clubs and free for individuals. A copy of the latest accounts will be made available on the association’s web site. The membership form is also available on the web site.
Future Facilities in Hethersett
Mark Heazle (MH) and David Bills (DB) from South Norfolk Council outlined plans for upgraded and new facilities on Hethersett Academy land. South Norfolk is looking to put together a business case, apply for grants and manage a new sports complex at the Academy to include all weather playing surface and other facilities. This is part of their strategy to support schools and local communities and will involve dual use of the facilities between the school and community (out of school hours). The facilities will be available to the community after 5 p.m on school days and from 9 am until 9 pm at weekends. The new measures will improve both the sports facilities for the school and the wider community with priority booking going to local clubs with the possibility of a number of membership categories. Mark stated that Hethersett and the Meltons’ Sports Association would play a key part in ensuring the use of the facilities by local people. South Norfolk will continue to liaise closely with HAMSA on the matter. Peter Hoult (PH) felt that the relationship between Hethersett Academy and the local community has been improving. SH underlined the role that an existing number of directors of a Community Interest Company will play in the matter.
Future of the Sports Association and Sport/Leisure
Peter Steward (PS) introduced this item and led a discussion on a more strategic role for the sports association, being the first port of call for matters relating to well being, sport and fitness. The association needs to make the most of being awarded a Big Society award. It is hoped that a meeting can be called in the near future involving South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon to discuss how to enhance and promote Hethersett and its continuance of the Olympic Legacy.
South Norfolk is recognised as the fittest area in the county with more people taking part in sport and regular exercise than in any other part of the county. MH and DB stated that the sports association was a unique group in Norfolk and had contributed significantly to the fitness figures for South Norfolk.
Hethersett Open Weekend 2016
SH stated that this year’s run the square funrun will take place on June 26th, avoiding the Norfolk Village Games and Norwich Lord Mayor’s Procession weekends. It was agreed to drop the come and try sports event which failed to attract sufficient numbers in 2015.
Applications for Grants
There were no new applications for grants, although SH pointed out that finance still exists to support new start-up and existing groups.
Presentation by Norfolk Football Company
Paul Suggitt (PSu) introduced his new company Norfolk Football Ltd which has moved away from the Dynamic group. Paul can supply sports clothing for all sports and not just football. He offered catalogues to interested clubs. A new web site will be launched in the near future and this will be linked to and from the sports association. Mel Perkins (MP) stated that Hethersett Athletic Football Club has enjoyed a close working relationship with Psu and recommended his services.
Sports Clubs/Groups Updates and Coming Events
Hethersett Olympic Legacy Sports Complex (HOLSC)
SH updated the meeting on the current position regarding the setting up of a Community Interest Company to work alongside Hethersett Academy and South Norfolk Council. The next meeting will be in the Spring.
Hethersett Velo Club
Nothing has been heard from Hethersett Velo Club. PS said he would try and find out whether the annual Hethersett 30/60/90 would be taking place in 2016.
Hethersett Croquet Club
The club continues to be popular with two lawns on the Memorial Playing Field. It is currently enjoying a winter break but in 2016 will run from April until at least the end of September on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The group has about 25 members.
Hethersett Netball Club
Helen Lawn (HL) reported that the club’s junior section has 25 members with between 17 and 20 turning up each week. Friendlies are lined-up and new kit has been purchased. The senior club has two teams in the UEA Indoor League
Skateboard Facilities
There was nobody present from the skateboard group. A general discussion took place on the viability of spending money to repair and improve the park and who would take on the running. PS will try to make contact with the people who previously showed an interest
Hethersett Badminton Club
PH reported that the new season has commenced with about 30 senior players and a similar number of juniors. Coaching is going well and club activity is split between Hethersett Academy and Hethersett Old Hall School.
Hethersett Running Group
PS will contact Paul Evans to see if more coaching is available for 2016 leading up to the village funrun. There was also a discussion about Hethersett holding a regular park run. SH stated that a junior park run in Hethersett had been discussed and he will keep an ear out for any developments.
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Bowls Club
Ron Butcher (RB) stated that the club is on its winter break but work has been carried out on the green ahead of an April start to the season. New players are always welcome.
Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway Club
MP reported that 2016 will be Hawks’ Golden Jubilee and a number of special events will be lined-up. The team will be competing in the South East League again and will be travelling as far afield as Eastbourne. The club is also considering entering the European Club Championships in Poland. Hawks are in negotiations with a new sponsor to replace Swinton & Co Accountants who have decided not to renew their deal with the club after an 11 year association.
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trust
MP reported on the latest situation with regard to the refurbishment and improvements to the pavilion on the Memorial Playing Field, with grant applications in with Sport England and also being lodged with the Football Foundation. It is hoped to start on the building work in 2016. A new gate is being put into place at the entrance to the field and consideration is being given to putting a barrier between the car park and the grass bank to prevent cars illegally accessing the field. The football pitches have been vertidrained with the cost being met by the Trustees and Hethersett Athletic Football Club. Psu offered some bio product to help fertilise parts of the field and this offer will be taken up by the Bowls and Croquet Clubs.
Norfolk Village Games 2015
HL reported on various events being organised by Active Norfolk under the Village Games banner. Hethersett had failed to get a team for the badminton event but have entered two sides in the indoor rounders at the end of January. It was agreed that the £20 entry fee should be met from Sports association funds. The main village games finals will take place on July 10th. The annual netball tournament will take place in April.
Hethersett Dementia Group
DB reported on the possibility of purchasing gym equipment to help dementia sufferers. He is working on this with Age UK. The monthly Hethersett Hub Dementia Café has moved from Hethersett Hall to Hethersett Methodist Church Hall with the first meeting scheduled for January 19th.
Hethersett Jubilee Youth Club
Leslie Dale (LD) gave an update on life at the youth club with a couple of incidents of vandalism. The club has two water urns and gazebos available for hire. The club has a new youth leader and is looking for a grant to pay for youngsters to visit the dry ski slope in Norwich and also have a new pool table.
Hethersett Athletic Football Club
MP reported that the season is progressing well with the club’s Saturday Men’s team having reached the quarter-finals of the Norfolk Primary Cup where they will be playing a team from King’s Lynn on January 16th. The club is looking to move the Under-9s and Under-10s to a seven a side pitch on the Memorial Field after problems with the pitch at Hethersett Junior School.
Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club
PS reported on a substantial grant from South Norfolk Council which will allow the club to purchase a new roller. The club will be holding its annual match in aid of the Starthrowers Cancer Charity on April 17th with food and bar all day. The club’s annual meeting will be held in February.
Hethersett Methodist Table Tennis Club
This continues to meet at Hethersett Methodist Church on Friday evenings from 7 until 9 p.m and currently provides table tennis for a number of young players. Its existence is being monitored to ensure that it remains viable.
Respect Yourself
No members of the charity were present but PS reported on the new app which has been launched.
Rowan House
Mary Tuddenham (MT) outlined the success of the new Health Hub in the former business centre in Queen’s Road which was opened at the beginning of October. Rachel Pailes (Mary’s daughter) is managing the complex which includes physiotherapy, sports massage, hypnotherapy, acupuncture and many others.
New Clubs
There is the chance of setting up a new basketball group if suitable premises can be found. PS has received a request for an indoor short tennis club and is trying to find somebody to organise this. PH outlined a walking football group at Horsford that needs new members and asked about the possibility of starting up such a group in Hethersett. MP stated that Hethersett Athletic Football Club would be happy to take such a group under its wing, provided people come forward to organise it. PS will also look into the possibility of setting up a tennis group in the summer.
Tour of Britain Cycle Race
SH gave a retrospective look at the race which came through Hethersett in September. Hethersett Environmental Action Team (HEAT) produced floral displays on the day and a number of businesses mounted displays. Hundreds of people lined the streets despite inclement weather and the village supported the event well.
Proposed Fireworks Event
MP gave an update on the possibility of groups working together with Crusaders Rugby Club to provide a fireworks event in November. DB asked for the matter to be placed on the association’s next agenda when he would have some news.
Marketing and Promotion of the Association
There are plans for a series of self financing publications with a sporting theme to be written/published in 2016. Shane Hull is working on a publication on the Olympic Legacy, Mel Perkins is preparing a publication to mark the 50th anniversary of Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway, Peter Steward is writing a history of Hethersett Athletic Football Club to mark its 25th anniversary. There are also plans to write an updated history of Hethersett Cricket Club (now Hethersett and Tas Valley). Much of the work for the cricket book is already in existence having been written by Peter Harris and Harold Kerslake. There was also a discussion on further promoting the association and Psu offered to help with the production of posters.MP suggested further promotion of HAMSA through schools
Date of Next Meeting
Monday 11th April, 2016, at 7.30 p.m at Park Farm Hotel (subject to confirmation).