To receive a presentation from the Health and Physical Activity Officer, Mr Martin Sterio on new health activities.
Minutes:
Mr. Martin Sterio, Health and
Physical Activity Officer, attended the meeting to give a presentation on new
health activities. A number of events would be taking place across the Borough
in the open green and urban spaces, these included:
·
Rushmoor Park Run - launched in 2014,
the Park run was a weekly 5K run at the Polo Fields, off Queens Avenue,
Aldershot. An average of 300 runners participated each week making the run one
of the largest in Hampshire. Around 25 volunteers were involved in the
organisation and the Council worked closely with the Blackwater Valley Runners
to co-ordinate the event.
·
Beat the Streets -
Aldershot
– In March 2015 a walking initiative had been launched where people tapped a
card against monitors around the town to record the number of miles they had
covered over a four week period. 4,000
residents participated, including six schools and four community groups.
Additional events had been held at the weekends, such as a community fun run,
5k Bingo Walk and a family cycle ride. A “Couch to 5k” running course for
beginners had also been established. Six months on from the event, a survey had
been carried out, the data from which showed that 73% continued to be more
active, 47% took the car less and 71% continued to walk more often.
·
Rushmoor Wellesley
10K
– Launched in 2015 the Wellesley 10K covered the Polo Fields, Wellesley
Woodlands and Basingstoke Canal. The event ran in association with a number of
local organisations including; Grainger, The Greater Nepalese Community and the
Blackwater Valley Runners.
·
Breeze Cycle Rides - Launched in 2015
the Breeze Cycle ride was for women only which took place bi-monthly in
Rushmoor and the surrounding areas. Rushmoor had hosted the largest Breeze ride
in Hampshire in 2016.
·
Farnborough Flyer
Cycle Sportive
– Starting at The Village Hotel, Farnborough, this cycling event had hosted 300
riders participating in either, a 75 mile, 50 mile or 21 mile ride in 2016. The
2017 event was planned to accommodate 500 entrants, additional family, and
junior rides. The event would be organised in partnership with VC Meudon Cycling Club, the Village Hotel, Pedal heaven Kids
club and Decathlon.
·
Farnborough Winter
Half Marathon
– This event had been launched in January 2017 with 2,000 runners. The route
took in the business park, Southwood woodland, Basingstoke Canal and the
airport perimeter. It was expected that 3,000 runners would take part in 2018.
The event ran in partnership with 2:09 events, with support from TAG, BMW and
Fluor.
·
Twilight Challenge – Since 2012, TAG,
in conjunction with the Community Matters Partnership, had hosted a 10k or 5k
event on the airfield in June. 13,000
people had participated since 2012 by riding running, skating or walking on the
airport runway at twilight.
The Panel noted the positive impact
of the events, which included: greater numbers of adults and young people
regularly exercising resulting in improved levels of wellbeing; increased civic
pride; economic benefits; improved community cohesion; and, enhancement of the
Council’s credibility within the community through good working relationships
with clubs and businesses.
It was suggested that an article
should be included in the Arena magazine detailing the events for the whole
year so residents were aware well in advance.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Sterio for his presentation.