Fitness and gym sessions are linked to creche facilities for first time

PARENTS who want to become fit before the summer are being invited to a free open morning at the West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre (pictured), in Minehead.
Taster sessions in the sports centre’s gym are being offered on Tuesday, January 13, from 9.30 am to11 am.
The centre provides an opportunity for parents to exercise while their children are safely looked after and can enjoy learning in a local crèche.
It is the result of work by West Somerset Council’s community team to link the leisure facilities with the neighbouring West Somerset College and the Alcombe and Dulverton Children’s Centres.
Council community portfolio holder Councillor Neil Parbrook said: “This is a great opportunity, especially after the indulgences of Christmas, for parents to try free mini gym taster sessions and to see what else the centre has to offer.
“While parents work out, their children will be cared for by students and qualified staff at nearby crèche facilities at the new skills and enterprise centre.
“This is the first time crèche facilities have been linked with fitness facilities in Minehead and, if the taster sessions prove popular, they could become regular events.
“We may even be able to extend the scheme so that parents can use other elements of the skills centre, such as visiting the hairdressers.
“The mini gym taster sessions are overseen by qualified instructors who will advise people on the best exercise for their level of fitness.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for couch potatoes to put their New Year resolutions into practice, or to just train up in time for a trimmer summer.”
The gym is open to all members of the community daily from 8.30 am to 11.30 am.
More information is available by calling Rob Odams on 01643 700030 or Jayne Lethaby on 01643 708815.

Mountain biking partnership wheelie taking off in Watchet

FIVE top-of-the-range Marin mountain bikes have been given to Watchet Children’s Centre after it teamed up with West Somerset Council to secure £5,000 of funding.
The bikes will allow mums and dads of children using the centre (pictured) even more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
A total of 21 mountain bikes have now been acquired for the children’s centres in Watchet and Williton.
District council community portfolio holder Councillor Neil Parbrook said: “This is a fantastic scheme.
“Parents can join the dads or mums groups while their children enjoy learning and play activities at the centres, and there are also family cycling events.
“The scheme is great at improving fitness and it gives people confidence in learning new skills as well as a good chance to socialise.
“It is so popular at Watchet and Williton that we are now going to trial it at Alcombe and Dulverton Children’s Centres.”
The council’s community officer, Liz Stewart, worked in partnership with the Watchet centre’s family support co-ordinator Sam Fahey to win funding for the bikes from Awards For All, Big Lottery Fund, and the South West Community Foundation Comic Relief Fund.
Councillor Parbrook said: “I would like to thank local cycle experts, Pompey’s, in Minehead, for helping to secure a good discount on the new bikes, essential equipment, and parts.”
The scheme includes beginners, intermediate, and advanced groups, and caters for all levels of fitness and skills.
As well as the groups currently running from the Williton and Watchet Children’s Centres, the scheme is being trialled at Alcombe Children’s Centre on December 10, with an open morning from 10 am to 12 noon when people can try out the bikes and have an informal chat.
Further taster sessions start in Alcombe on January 12. Free bikes, transport, and crèche facilities will be available.
Details of the taster sessions at Dulverton will be made available shortly.
Philip Sylvester, a member of the dads’ mountain biking group, said: “I needed something to get me away from the stresses of bringing up three kids on my own.
“I was reluctant at first but it has given me the lift I really needed and I have never looked back.”
Hayley Lake, a mums’ mountain bike member, said: “It is good fun and it is my free time to enjoy.
“I also feel like I now have more energy for my children and it is something I will be able to share with my boys in future.”
More information about the scheme or any other services running from the children’s centres is available by calling Sam Fahey on 01984 633655.

Start on building Children's Centre for Norton Fitzwarren

WORK has begun on a new Children’s Centre for Norton Fitzwarren and the surrounding area which will provide local support and advice for parents and carers of children under-five years of age.
The centre, due to open next spring, will create a single point of access to services for families.
They will be able to obtain information on matters such as child development, parenting, and advice on how to stay safe and healthy.
The new Children’s Centre will also offer support to parents who are considering training and employment, as well as high-quality childcare and pre-school education from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday.
Somerset County Council has contributed more than £700,000 to create the new centre and has worked closely with a steering group made up of local representatives to ensure the facility will meet local needs and aspirations.
The project has been supported by the Somerset branch of the charity Wooden Spoon, which has given £40,000, including £3,500 raised by sixth form students from Kings of Wessex School in Cheddar.
Steering group chairman Councillor Christopher Wolverson, who is the ward county councillor, said: “I am delighted the hard work and perseverance of Norton Fitzwarren Parish Council, the officers of the county council, and our partners has reached this important milestone in the project.
“I am looking forward to the Children's Centre making a real difference to our community when it opens in mid-2008.”
The development represents the latest step toward the council’s aim of establishing 33 new Children’s Centres in Somerset by March, 2008, which will support parents and families and help ensure children in Somerset are healthy and safe in their early years. Twenty centres have aleady opened and a further13 are in development.
The Mayor of Taunton Deane, Councillor Ken Hayward, who lives in Norton Fitzwarren, said: “It is fantastic that building work has started on this facility, which will be of great benefit to families in our community.
“All three local authorities have worked long and hard in partnership to make this happen, and it is a true credit to all those involved on the team.
“The project has also enabled the parish council to provide a long-awaited children’s playground, which will open next summer alongside the centre.”
The national children’s charity Barnardo’s will manage the Norton Fitzwarren Children’s Centre on behalf of the county council.
Barnardo’s South West children’s services manager Sue Dennis said: “We are delighted to be managing the new Children’s Centre.
“We are really looking forward to working in partnership with the county council and also with the children and families from Norton Fitzwarren and the surrounding communities.”
Childcare and education at the centre will be provided by Sarah Battersby and Deana Hunt.
Sarah said: “We will work together with parents and other professionals to create an exciting learning environment within a nurturing and homely setting, where children can grow and reach their full potential.
“We are excited to be working alongside Barnardos, the county council, and others to offer support for children and young families in and around Norton Fitzwarren.”
Henry W. Pollard and Sons Ltd and Woodcraft Homes Ltd, both local building firms, have been appointed to deliver the construction of the Children’s Centre.
Wooden Spoon is rugby’s charity supporting mentally, physically, and socially disadvantaged children and young people.
It has committed to more than £13 million in spending for projects for children and young people. For more information about the charity, visit www.woodenspoon.com.