A great day was had by all at the event organised by the Big Local Committee and Portway Lifestyle Centre. Kate Cross and Sharon Offley, who are members of the Big Local Partnership were welcoming and registering all of the 252 people that attended the free event. People travelled from all areas including Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Smethwick, Birmingham, London and, of course, the GM2LF area.
The activities available were; the climbing wall, trampolining, badminton,, archery, gym induction, karate/aikido demonstrations, Zumba, Pilates, kids dance, boxercise, football coaching, sumo rugby, target football, dodge football and lads/ dads kickabout.
In the market hall there was; the Big Local Partner explaining that the event was organised as part of their 10 year plan to spend a million pound in regeneration of the area, and this event fell under the Health and well-being plan, and giving away free big local balloons. Murray Hall Community Trust giving information on their community offer scheme for Rowley Regis and Tividale, Mytime Health giving free BMI tests and offering free individual health plans, Portway Lifestyle Centre Gym Instructor offering a discounted membership for those who signed up on the day, Portway Family Practice who were giving free blood pressure tests and promoting their practice and Gail the Face Painter who was extremely busy all day with her fantastic designs being created on the many children that waited patiently.
Winners of the Garden in Bloom completion were presented by Jenny Chidley, Kate Cross and Gracie The Lion with cash prizes of £100 and £50. Winners included; Janet Copson, May Dudley, Sarah Cox, Marianna Szentgyogyi, Sandwell Adventure Play Association, Dorothy Claxton and overall winner Grace Mary Primary School. Photographs of the winners were taken by Stephen Phillips.
Refreshments were available including; a BBQ selling hotdogs and beef burgers, a slushy stall situated outside the main entrance and the centre’s café.
The Big Local Partnership would like to thank John Harling of Portway Lifestyle Centre for organising the activities and a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped on the day and contributed to a very successful event to promote health and fitness to children and adults in the surrounding area of GM2LF.
JENNY CHIDLEY
