Minutes of Meeting held at Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, on July 1st, 2013
Before the meeting promotional photographs were taken of members with the South Norfolk Northern River Valley’s Neighbourhood Board cheque. These will be used for publicity purposes.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Claire Burke, Maria Alborough, Michelle Melton and Alison Utting.
Round Table Introductions
There were 14 present – Peter Steward (chair) (PS), Shane Hull (treasurer) (SH), Peter Hoult (Sec)(PH), Mel Perkins MBE(MP), Colin McDermott (CM), Harold Kerslake (HK), Nigel Bailey (NB), David Bills Everett (DB), Toni Horsfield (TH), Helen Lawn (HL), Wayne Johnson (WJ), Bobby Dowling (BD), Steve Walker (SW) and Gary Wyatt (GW). All introduced themselves individually.
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated and were taken as read.
Treasurer’s Report
SH reported that the bank account currently contains £3,332 which includes the cheque for £3,140 from the South Norfolk Northern River Valley Board. The grant is actually £3,840 with £700 being retained by South Norfolk for promotion and marketing of the association.
New Clubs/Equipment Reports
PS will order equipment and go ahead with holding come and try tennis events at both Hethersett and Little Melton. There was a discussion abut the possibility of having a shortened court marked out on land at the village hall for younger players to enjoy the game and Steve Walker said that equipment for this exists at the Junior School and can be borrowed for the event. It is hoped to have a come and try rounders session at the same time and again PS will purchase the necessary equipment. He commented on the number of clubs that had started under the auspices of the sports association including the running club, a new Velo club and the Methodist Table Tennis Club.
The Running Club currently has two groups operating on a Thursday evening – a beginners’ group at Hethersett Junior School and a slightly more advanced group on the Memorial Playing Field. The two groups will merge into one after the village open weekend.
Martin Anderton has set-up a new Velo Club which is providing recreational cycling for all standards.
It was suggested that the association should consider purchasing a new line marker for the Memorial Field.
PH reported on the success of the Methodist Church based Table Tennis Club which continues to be popular and will continue to run on Friday evenings until the school holidays and then resume in the Autumn. He suggested a programme of structured coaching for young players could be looked at.
TH outlined plans and costings for starting a junior section of Hethersett Netball Club and stated this was dependent on a coach being trained up to level two – something Jacqui Horsfield is looking to undertake. It was agreed that funds should be set aside for the formation of this group.
WJ updated those present on steps to provide an all weather sports surface and is working with SH and the Olympic Legacy Committee and will provide the sports association with regular updates.
It was decided not to provide a full 200 metre running track on the Memorial Playing Field due to the cost, but to consider having a single line measuring out the distance to help local runners.
PH informed members that Richard Headicar from Woodcote Sheltered Housing is still keen to have a petanque piste on the Memorial Field. This would be a much cheaper version of the original suggestion. The association will look into this with the view to starting up a petanque club.
PS suggested the purchase of two cornboards for use at various village events. These had proved popular at the come and try evening and can be decked out in the sports association logo.
PH gave an update on the Queen’s Road Badminton Club which is now affiliated to Badminton England.
The Success Story So Far and Coming and Past Events
SH reported on this year’s open weekend on July 6th and 7th, outlining attractions and events from the funrun to sport in the park, the village fete to the evening entertainment. PH gave details of the fete and car boot sale. Full details of all events with entry forms are available at www.hethersett.org.uk.
PS reported on a disappointing come and try sports event on May 22nd which featured seven sports but failed to attract decent numbers. This is an event put on under the direction of Active Norfolk and PS will talk to them about possibly changing the format or incorporating it into Sport in the Park. He felt numbers had been hit by a major meeting at Hethersett High School and a cold evening.
PH reported on problems with anti-social behaviour on the Memorial Field and a planned meeting between the Trustees and the Police. PS said that planning permission had been applied for the pavilion extension, ahead of grant applications going in. DB agreed to check on the state of the planning application with South Norfolk.
PS reported on another success for Hethersett and the Meltons in the South Norfolk Village Games, which we have won for the third successive year. The county finals are at UEA Sportspark on Sunday July 14th.
DB informed members that there had been a change in management at Hethersett Hall and the new manager was keen to be part of the community. She will be invited along to the next Sports Association meeting.
SW has been in touch with Hethersett Parish Council about the re-siting of goalposts onto the spare land at the village hall. This matter will be discussed at the next parish council meeting on 15th July. There had been no interest in having a goal on land in Steepletower.
TH reported that Hethersett Netball Club had finished runners-up in the Active Norfolk tournament at Dereham – losing in the final on a “golden goal” shoot out. PS reported that Hethersett and the Meltons had won the autumn golf competition at Bawburgh.
WJ pointed out the benefits of joining the Mustard Television scheme being run by Archant. Clubs and individuals are provided with video cameras and I phones to cover events and he felt it would be a great benefit for the sports association to take part. It was suggested that the equipment could be held in a central location and be made available for use by the sports association and any individual or club affiliated to the association. Wayne agreed to look into the situation and report back to the next meeting.
PS reported that the health packs were now ready for distribution at the Hethersett Open Weekend with a number of new leaflets being offered.
Respect Yourself updated members on their new corporate sponsors. They will work with the sports association to put out SMS messages on health and fitness.
PH reported that Hethersett High School have a number of foam crash mats they wish to dispose of and NB stated that these might be useful to a new boxing club that has been formed in the Long Stratton area.
Northern River Valleys Board
NB and DB reported on new grant money available amounting to £62,000 with a maximum of £2,000 per project. They also outlined the new set-up of the Board with vacancies existing. They were thanked for their support of the association.
Distribution of Funding
With the money from the Northern Rivers Board in the bank account the association is in a position to take a number of projects forward as outlined in the association’s wish list which formed part of the grant bid.
WJ asked for matched funding of £200 in order to set up and equip new Under-7 and Under-8 teams at Hethersett Athletic Football Club and this was approved.
Campaigns Update
PS reported on success as far as starting new groups and improving facilities with the Association working with the new Velo club to encourage people to cycle more. He also felt that many of the new clubs were attracting more women and girls than men and boys – thus achieving the aim of encouraging more sport amongst female participants. The association will continue to lobby for improved cycle paths between Little Melton and Hethersett and Hethersett and Wymondham.
Marketing and Promotion
PS asked for this to be a major item for discussion at the next meeting following the award of the Northern River Valley’s grant.
Any Other Business
MP pointed out that a decision would be taken at the next meeting of Hethersett Athletic Football Club about the future of the community firework display held in November in the grounds of Hethersett Junior and High Schools. He felt the event may be widened to be organised by the wider Hethersett community with the sports association possibly playing a vital part. PS agreed to circulate members with the decision taken at the next football club meeting.
PS pointed out that local cricket clubs have been increasing their work with schools and young people in an effort to widen the appeal of the sport.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
Monday 30th September at 7.30 p.m in the Ellingham Suite at Park Farm Hotel.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Claire Burke, Maria Alborough, Michelle Melton and Alison Utting.
Round Table Introductions
There were 14 present – Peter Steward (chair) (PS), Shane Hull (treasurer) (SH), Peter Hoult (Sec)(PH), Mel Perkins MBE(MP), Colin McDermott (CM), Harold Kerslake (HK), Nigel Bailey (NB), David Bills Everett (DB), Toni Horsfield (TH), Helen Lawn (HL), Wayne Johnson (WJ), Bobby Dowling (BD), Steve Walker (SW) and Gary Wyatt (GW). All introduced themselves individually.
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated and were taken as read.
Treasurer’s Report
SH reported that the bank account currently contains £3,332 which includes the cheque for £3,140 from the South Norfolk Northern River Valley Board. The grant is actually £3,840 with £700 being retained by South Norfolk for promotion and marketing of the association.
New Clubs/Equipment Reports
PS will order equipment and go ahead with holding come and try tennis events at both Hethersett and Little Melton. There was a discussion abut the possibility of having a shortened court marked out on land at the village hall for younger players to enjoy the game and Steve Walker said that equipment for this exists at the Junior School and can be borrowed for the event. It is hoped to have a come and try rounders session at the same time and again PS will purchase the necessary equipment. He commented on the number of clubs that had started under the auspices of the sports association including the running club, a new Velo club and the Methodist Table Tennis Club.
The Running Club currently has two groups operating on a Thursday evening – a beginners’ group at Hethersett Junior School and a slightly more advanced group on the Memorial Playing Field. The two groups will merge into one after the village open weekend.
Martin Anderton has set-up a new Velo Club which is providing recreational cycling for all standards.
It was suggested that the association should consider purchasing a new line marker for the Memorial Field.
PH reported on the success of the Methodist Church based Table Tennis Club which continues to be popular and will continue to run on Friday evenings until the school holidays and then resume in the Autumn. He suggested a programme of structured coaching for young players could be looked at.
TH outlined plans and costings for starting a junior section of Hethersett Netball Club and stated this was dependent on a coach being trained up to level two – something Jacqui Horsfield is looking to undertake. It was agreed that funds should be set aside for the formation of this group.
WJ updated those present on steps to provide an all weather sports surface and is working with SH and the Olympic Legacy Committee and will provide the sports association with regular updates.
It was decided not to provide a full 200 metre running track on the Memorial Playing Field due to the cost, but to consider having a single line measuring out the distance to help local runners.
PH informed members that Richard Headicar from Woodcote Sheltered Housing is still keen to have a petanque piste on the Memorial Field. This would be a much cheaper version of the original suggestion. The association will look into this with the view to starting up a petanque club.
PS suggested the purchase of two cornboards for use at various village events. These had proved popular at the come and try evening and can be decked out in the sports association logo.
PH gave an update on the Queen’s Road Badminton Club which is now affiliated to Badminton England.
The Success Story So Far and Coming and Past Events
SH reported on this year’s open weekend on July 6th and 7th, outlining attractions and events from the funrun to sport in the park, the village fete to the evening entertainment. PH gave details of the fete and car boot sale. Full details of all events with entry forms are available at www.hethersett.org.uk.
PS reported on a disappointing come and try sports event on May 22nd which featured seven sports but failed to attract decent numbers. This is an event put on under the direction of Active Norfolk and PS will talk to them about possibly changing the format or incorporating it into Sport in the Park. He felt numbers had been hit by a major meeting at Hethersett High School and a cold evening.
PH reported on problems with anti-social behaviour on the Memorial Field and a planned meeting between the Trustees and the Police. PS said that planning permission had been applied for the pavilion extension, ahead of grant applications going in. DB agreed to check on the state of the planning application with South Norfolk.
PS reported on another success for Hethersett and the Meltons in the South Norfolk Village Games, which we have won for the third successive year. The county finals are at UEA Sportspark on Sunday July 14th.
DB informed members that there had been a change in management at Hethersett Hall and the new manager was keen to be part of the community. She will be invited along to the next Sports Association meeting.
SW has been in touch with Hethersett Parish Council about the re-siting of goalposts onto the spare land at the village hall. This matter will be discussed at the next parish council meeting on 15th July. There had been no interest in having a goal on land in Steepletower.
TH reported that Hethersett Netball Club had finished runners-up in the Active Norfolk tournament at Dereham – losing in the final on a “golden goal” shoot out. PS reported that Hethersett and the Meltons had won the autumn golf competition at Bawburgh.
WJ pointed out the benefits of joining the Mustard Television scheme being run by Archant. Clubs and individuals are provided with video cameras and I phones to cover events and he felt it would be a great benefit for the sports association to take part. It was suggested that the equipment could be held in a central location and be made available for use by the sports association and any individual or club affiliated to the association. Wayne agreed to look into the situation and report back to the next meeting.
PS reported that the health packs were now ready for distribution at the Hethersett Open Weekend with a number of new leaflets being offered.
Respect Yourself updated members on their new corporate sponsors. They will work with the sports association to put out SMS messages on health and fitness.
PH reported that Hethersett High School have a number of foam crash mats they wish to dispose of and NB stated that these might be useful to a new boxing club that has been formed in the Long Stratton area.
Northern River Valleys Board
NB and DB reported on new grant money available amounting to £62,000 with a maximum of £2,000 per project. They also outlined the new set-up of the Board with vacancies existing. They were thanked for their support of the association.
Distribution of Funding
With the money from the Northern Rivers Board in the bank account the association is in a position to take a number of projects forward as outlined in the association’s wish list which formed part of the grant bid.
WJ asked for matched funding of £200 in order to set up and equip new Under-7 and Under-8 teams at Hethersett Athletic Football Club and this was approved.
Campaigns Update
PS reported on success as far as starting new groups and improving facilities with the Association working with the new Velo club to encourage people to cycle more. He also felt that many of the new clubs were attracting more women and girls than men and boys – thus achieving the aim of encouraging more sport amongst female participants. The association will continue to lobby for improved cycle paths between Little Melton and Hethersett and Hethersett and Wymondham.
Marketing and Promotion
PS asked for this to be a major item for discussion at the next meeting following the award of the Northern River Valley’s grant.
Any Other Business
MP pointed out that a decision would be taken at the next meeting of Hethersett Athletic Football Club about the future of the community firework display held in November in the grounds of Hethersett Junior and High Schools. He felt the event may be widened to be organised by the wider Hethersett community with the sports association possibly playing a vital part. PS agreed to circulate members with the decision taken at the next football club meeting.
PS pointed out that local cricket clubs have been increasing their work with schools and young people in an effort to widen the appeal of the sport.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
Monday 30th September at 7.30 p.m in the Ellingham Suite at Park Farm Hotel.