Minutes of Meeting of Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association held at Park Farm Hotel, Hethersett, on Monday September 10th, 2012.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Maria Alborough, Alex Bond, Richard Headicar, Martin Anderton and Paul Evans
Round Table Introductions
There were 18 present - Peter Steward (chair), Shane Hull (treasurer), Peter Hoult (Sec), Mel Perkins MBE, Fiona Whiting, Ian Fieldhouse, Gary Wyatt, Colin McDermott, Harold Kerslake, Nigel Bailey, David Bills Everett, Toni Horsfield, Joe Edwards, Jacqui Horsfield, Michelle Melton, Sarah Aitchison, Bobby Dowling and Claire Burke. All introduced themselves individually.
Minutes
Minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated and were taken as read.
Treasurer's Report
Shane reported that the bank account currently contains £146. He is collecting annual subscriptions - £5 per club or £2 per individual member. It is hoped that all subscriptions could be paid on or before the next HaMSA meeting on 26th November. These subscriptions will help with the administration of the Association and also go towards the funding of sports equipment requested in the coming year.
Hethersett and the Meltons - The Success Story Update
Open Weekend
Shane reported on the highly successful Open Weekend - covering Sport in the Park, Run the Square (over 300 entrants), ladies five-a-side football, also a new addition - The Flower Festival. There was a visit at the 24 hour swimming marathon from paralympic swimmer Oliver Jones and total charity benefit was over £3,000 from this event alone.
Olympic Flame
Shane reported on the visit of the Olympic Flame to the high school on July 3rd. Almost 2,000 villagers turned out to celebrate the extraordinary visit of the flame. Shane praised the efforts of South Norfolk council, Police, Highways and Hethersett Library for helping in the success
Social Running Club
This club was set up by Active Norfolk in association with Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association five months ago with the considerable support and assistance of Olympic athlete Paul Evans. Initially set to run every Thursday evening for 10 weeks. The group caters for runners of all abilities and so far there have been up to 37 runners involved each week. After the initial 10 week period it was decided to continue with the club under local coach Maria Alborough. It will run until the end of September and then a decision will be taken whether to continue in some form during the winter months. It is also hoped to start a second beginners' club next April with that being integrated into the existing club at the end of the initial 10 weeks. Paul Evans has once again offered to coach the new group with Maria continuing with the existing group. Peter Steward has offered thanks to Hethersett Junior School for their assistance in allowing the runners to use their sports field.
Hethersett Hawks
Mel Perkins reported that the international cycle speedway tournament against Poland on 31st July was cancelled, but he was able to update the association on the success of the current season. One senior rider is off to Australia for the World Championships. A major event is being held in the British Youth and Junior League on 29th September, starting at noon.
Pledge to Fitness
Fiona reported on the January pledge to fitness event which saw more people pledge at Hethersett than in any other single day event in the county. A pledge wall is still on display at Woodside School. It is perhaps going to be repeated by Active Norfolk in 2013.
Come and Try Sports Event
This was held on Wednesday 30th May. There were seven sports available to try including archery, football, petanque, cricket, athletics and bowls. There was also a cycle speedway grand prix that evening and the cycle speedway club provided teas and coffees. Over 300 people, mainly youngsters, attended what was a successful event which will be repeated in 2013.
Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trust
Peter Hoult reported on improvements made to the Memorial Field with regard to the provision of sports facilities. The trustees have been very pleased with the way that NORSE have maintained the playing field. The senior football pitch has been moved serveral metres away from the Recreation Road boundary in oreder to be able to site outdoor gym equipment, teen shelter etc in the near future.
Plans are ongoing to improve the pavilion facilities as an interim measure and provide up to date changing facilities, showers, disabled facilities and toilets accessible from the exterior. In the long term the trustees are investigating the funding of a proper, perhaps "green build" facility that will meet the needs of modern club and social use.
Improvements planned for 2013 include a wide range of pitch markings for the use of various clubs and activities throughout the summer - inclluding a running track around the perimeter.
The Jubilee Fayre, whilst being held on a day of appalling weather, was enjoyed and appreciated by the vast majority who came along. It is hoped to join with the Olympic Legacy committee and provide a massive fun/craft/music and sports weekend in 2013 - possibly in July, with the help of schools, village hall, churches, clubs and societies.
Peter also mentioned that there is currently a vacancy on the trustees due to a member moving away from the area. The post is unpaid, but involves little commitment - and meets bi-monthly for a couple of hours. The Parish Council must be contacted for anyone interested in helping to promote the continuing success of the playing feild - they are obliged to put forward the names of any interested parties.
HEAT
Gary Wyatt gave an update on the workings of Hethersett Environmental Action Group which shares and supports the ideals of the sports association.
Norfolk Village Games 2012
Peter Steward reported on the repeated success of our villages in both the South Norfolk Village Games and the Norfolk Finals. We won the South Norfolk event for the second successive year and once again came runners-up to Downham Market in the large villages/market towns section of the county finals. Hethersett and the Meltons will once again be organising entries into the events in 2013.
Hethersett 30/60 Cycle Event
In the absence of Martin Anderton, Peter Hoult gave a report of the highly successful inaugural 30/60 cycle event and plans to repeat this in 2013. Mel Perkins questioned whether the rider limit could be increased but it was felt the figure of 300 was imposed by The Police on safety grounds. Mel urged initial priority should be given to local riders.
Netball Club
Hethersett Netball Club reported on its season and plans for the future and the possibility of starting up a youth netball group in the village, something that has the full support of HaMSA.
2013 - Year of Support for Facilities
Peter Steward underlined a commitment to improve sporting facilities in 2013 (see under aims for 2013).
Hethersett 2013 Walk or Cycle to Work/School
Peter Steward also stated that the association will be looking at ways in 2013 of encouraging people to walk and cycle in the villages to cut down on the use of vehicles. This matter would feature high on the agenda of meetings in the New Year and will also include supporting extensions to cycle paths between Little Melton and Hethersett and Hethersett and Wymondham.
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Northern River Valleys Neighbourhood Board
Nigel Bailey and David Bills spoke about the set up of the Northern River Valleys Neighbourhood Board and the results of a community empowerment survey and how this dovetails in with the workd of HaMSA. They undelined grants still available to the association (see Aims for 2013), The association expressed its appreciation of the support received from both the Neighbourhood Board and South Norfolk Council.
Aims for 2013
A bucket list of potential improvements to facilities, sports equipment and the like was started up. Peter Steward has asked that we jointly prepare this immediate list to include likely costings so that a bid for funding can be presented through Nigel Bailey. Initially, the list included a petanque pitch, concrete table tennis table, rounders equipment, outdoor chess set, lining out costs etc.
Peter asked that association members send their requests for funding/equipment to him within seven days and he would prepare a grant bid within two weeks which would see it discussed in the next round of funding. Funding would allow a number of new clubs to be set up and bring more sporting opportunities for all ages. Peter S will circulate the bid to members once it is in place.
Logo and Promotion
Peter Hoult will contact Paul Rodgers with a view to creating a logo for the association. Harold and Fiona also suggested contacting schools to enquire about their involvement in design/promotion in order to give HaMSA a more corporate feel. Peter Steward will also look into the possibility of printing posters and other publicity material to get the association better known. Marketing costs will form part of our bid for funding.
Social Media
It was agreed that Facebook, Twitter and the Hethersett website should be more widely used as a means to promote the association, its aims and plans for the future. HaMSA also has its own web site (see below)
2013 Health Packs
South Norfolk Council still has folders available to make into health and fitness packs. This matter will be put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. Peter Steward urged the various clubs to produce fleyrs to put into the packs which can be handed out at fetes and various other village events during 2013.
Any Other Business
Sarah Autchison, representing Hethersett Methodist Church, offered to allow public use of its table tennis facilities for anyone wishing to start a club. It was agreed that a come and try evening should be arranged for October. Sarah will inform the chairman of dates when the hall will be free.
Bobby Dowling and Claire Burke, representing Respect Yourself, explained the aims of the group and how HaMSA could possibly be of assistance. Nigel Bailey felt that support for the group's SMS text messaging service could also be included in the grant bid.
Thanks were expressed to Richard Bond and Park Farm for the use of their facilities.
A new dedicated web site has been set up for the association at www.handmsa.weebly.com. The site includes agendas, minutes of meetings and various other details.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
Monday 26th November in the Ellingham Suite at Park Farm at 7.30 p.m.