Runners unite to volunteer for community through new Harrogate group

A new project is bringing together fitness, socialising and giving time to the community in Harrogate.

Community Fit will see a group of volunteers get together for a short, social run to a location where they will help out with a project for an hour before running back again.

Organisations to benefit could include charities, schools, community groups or environmental organisations.

Anna Glazier from HADCA said:

“Community Fit ticks all the boxes – being active, socialising, helping others – all of which can improve your sense of wellbeing.

“We aim to be accessible to people who may not yet be regularly active, as well as to committed runners who would like to incorporate something a little bit different into their weekly training.”

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Two trial events have already been held, which saw more than 16 hours of help given by volunteers to the Pinewoods Conservation Group and Artizan Cafe and Creative Space across two evenings.

The new project is a collaboration between North Yorkshire Spot and Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) which each have a member of staff dedicated to organising it. They said runners at the trial events loved the energy and enthusiasm of the group, as well as how much they could achieve in just an hour when working together.

The first meeting of the group takes place on Wednesday, June 15 at 5.45pm. The group will run around 1-2 miles from Community House on East Parade in Harrogate, returning by around 8pm after the work is complete.

New participants are welcome and do not have to be fast or experienced runners – the journeys will be at a social pace. To register to attend, visit the Community Fit website or find the group on Facebook or Instagram.

Bid to save ‘at risk’ Harrogate district bowls clubs

Bowls clubs in the Harrogate district have joined forces in an attempt to recover from the covid pandemic.

All 16 clubs that play in the Harrogate league have come together after it became clear that some were at risk of folding.

Dave Rowson, secretary of Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association, which governs the game in the district and coordinates its development, said the organisation had launched a drive to increase participation and retain players.

Mr Rowson said membership in local crown green bowls was declining and some clubs were at risk of going under.

He said:

“Membership of many clubs is declining and of the 16 clubs in the district there are a number forecasting that without an increase in participation they could be at risk of being unable to remain in existence.”

Mr Rowson, who is also secretary of Black Swan Bowling Club on Devonshire Place in Harrogate, pointed to Bilton Working Men’s Club as an example of a club which needed support.

The club currently has 26 bowlers and needs more players to remain viable.

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Paul Gill, who is a member of Bilton Working Men’s Club, said part of the problem was that the sport was regarded as an “old man’s game”.

He added that people also did not know where the bowling greens are situated because they are often behind buildings or hidden.

Mr Gill said:

“They do not know they are there.

“There are a lot of locations and a lot of clubs.”

Grants and strategy

After two years of the covid pandemic, the 16 clubs decided to come up with a strategy to ensure their survival.

As part of that, Mr Rowson secured a £1,500 grant to set up a website for Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association.

The site will enable each club to advertise open days for potential new members. The season runs from April to October so the number of open days is expected to ramp up shortly.

Mr Rowson added:

“The programme will be open to all. Bowls is a sport for everyone irrespective of age or gender. Everyone can compete equally.”

Younger players, parents and people retiring from other sports such as cricket and football will be encouraged to come along.

The association aims to get 600 new participants trying bowls. Mr Rowson added that there was capacity for 13 more eight-person teams in the Harrogate league.

He estimates that the league would need 80 new bowlers for those teams and to cover any player holiday or illness.

The association has also bid to North Yorkshire Sport for up to £5,000 in funding for equipment costs and coaches to help new players.

For more information on how to get involved with your local bowls club, visit the Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association website.

Lottery funding helps Harrogate’s older adults stay active at home

A Harrogate organisation that encourages older adults to become more active has received £100,000 in funding to go towards its at home exercise classes.

North Yorkshire Sport is based in Harrogate but offers support to those over 65 across the county. Its main aim is to encourage local people to become active and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

The funding comes from The National Lottery Community Fund and will be used to offer local adults tailored exercise sessions at their homes.

The organisation discovered that many older adults don’t have access to online resources so were missing out on exercise classes due to the pandemic.

Its new home exercise programme will allow participants to receive two face to face visits each week, for four weeks, from a qualified therapeutic exercise instructor.

This new funding means the sessions, sgarting this month, can be offered to 230 people locally.

David Watson, Chief Executive at North Yorkshire Sport says:

“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“This is important because it helps these adults to have a connection, in person, with other people whilst simultaneously supporting them to become more physically active and supporting their mental wellbeing.”

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