The Chalke Valley Sports Centre
May 17th saw a return to indoor activities after the recent lockdown and we are hopeful of a full return for all Clubs and activities from 21 June.
The Clubs AGM was held on 26 May. This was the first full Sports Centre meeting for 15 months, though still held across Zoom. Despite only limited opening possible for much of the year (mainly outdoor sports), there has been a great deal going on behind the scenes keeping the Centre maintained and ready to open as soon as allowed to do so and operating in a Covid safe manner.
PETANQUE OPEN EVENINGS: These were held in May to generate interest in this new facility at the Centre. A new Petanque Club is being formed for anyone that wishes to play regularly, visit other Petanque Clubs and generally have a bit of a social wrapped up around a ‘competitive’ game. This is part of the Keystone Brewery Petanque League.
Our aim is also to establish a regular social evening on a Friday throughout the summer, with a small bar and the possibility of adding other activities. Check the Centre website for more information but the next sessions will be Fridays June 4th and 11th from 6.30pm.
The Petanque Terrain is available for hire and casual use by everyone in the Chalke Valley. Under 18’s to be supervised by responsible adult. This operates on a ‘Honesty Donation basis’ at £5 an hour for a single rink (we have 3 rinks available) with own equipment. Full details are on the Centre website. We need to operate this way so that funds can continue to be raised to help maintain facilities, but it will be very much a trust basis with facility checks undertaken as part of the Centres normal operating arrangements.
If you are interested in getting more involved contact Nigel Tinkler nandnt@btinternet.com
PICKLEBALL: If the weather is on our side, the 15 June is a big day for the Centre with another new facilitybeing put in. We have been successful in securing grant funding from the GOGA Project (see later) and from the Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Partnership to put in two courts on the multi-use games area and to buy equipment and establish the Chalke Valley Sports Centre Moonrakers Pickleball Club. If you don’t know what Pickleball is (it is one of the fastest growing sports in America) it’s a racket sport played on a much smaller court with small ‘paddles’ and a hard plastic ‘air’ ball. It’s a great activity for adults of any age to get involved in a racket sport and brilliant for older people to enjoy at a less frantic pace than tennis.
For children, it is also the ideal starting point to be introduced to racket sports and progress on to tennis and squash. Dan Binns, our resident Tennis Coach, will be organising coaching sessions over the summer months (contact binnsdan@hotmail.com), and Moonrakers Pickleball Club will start Club sessions in June once the courts are in place Full details will appear on our website when we have got all the arrangements in place.
For more information contact Val Dolan at Moonrakerspickleball@outlook.com
CRICKET: The Cricket Club have started matches again and a new game is the 100 ball Bash on a Tuesday evening. Come down and have a look…check our website for dates of matches.
TENNIS CLUB: The weekly mix-ins are Thursdays 6.00-8.00pm and Sundays 11-1pm for members. A lot of new faces this season (and a number of old!). Coaching for juniors has started on court Monday from 3.30pm and adults by appointment at other times (contact our coach binnsdan@hotmail.com direct to arrange). The dates for the Salisbury Sarum and Shaftesbury League matches have now been set so do let us know (tennis@mdodd.net) if you would like to be considered to play for the club
TABLE TENNIS: Sunday practice evenings, junior 6.30 to 7.30pm adults 7.45 to 10pm. There will also be a summer league this year as well.
Contact Thomasscard@gmail.com
SHORT MAT BOWLS: ESMBA are allowing club play to take place under ‘safe bowls status rules’. Up to six players per mat but with playing restrictions. Anyone wishing to play before resuming normally from 21 June please contact Damon Johns at ivonhouse@hotmail.co.uk
FOOTBALL: Now on their summer break, but if you are interested in finding out more contact Nigel Hayes at nmhayes@live.co.uk.
PILATES: Claudine’s Pilates classes recommenced in May on a Monday at 9.15am & 2pm. For more information, please contact Claudine on 07788 587937 or email at claudineblake@aol.com All abilities are welcome.
YOGA: Jordana’s regular Wednesday evening class has now moved back indoors Contact yogawithjordana@gmail.com for details.
YOGA: Caroline’s Tuesday morning yoga started up again in May at the usual time of 9.15 – 10.45am. All ages and abilities welcome. For further info contact Caroline on 01725 552209 or cj@wilkinsonyoga.co.uk
GOGA: The Go Out Get Active initiative is being run across the County and the Sports Centre is establishing partnership arrangements with the GOGA Team and the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living to develop new activities to get people more active. More on this as things develop.
The Sports Centres normal timetable of use can be viewed under the Events Calendar on our website at www.chalkevalleysportscentre.co.uk
If you would like to get involved in helping to run the Centre, just contact one of the Committee.
Chalke Valley Sports Centre contacts:
Chris Rothwell, Secretary: chrisrothwell@hotmail.co.uk Tel 07552159369
Michaela Johns, Treasurer: ivonhouse@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 01722 780915
Edward Fry: Deputy Chairman: Edward.fry2@btinternet.co.uk
Our website is www.chalkevalleysportscentre.co.uk
