Interview with Mark Williams, Sports Development Officer

Interview with Mark Williams, Sports Development Officer at Wychavon District Council

What does your job entail?
To get more people, more active, more often! By planning and delivering local/national sports initiatives and events. By providing support, advice and guidance on club/coach development, funding and opportunities to get more people involved in sport and physical activity!

What projects are currently you working on?
With the Olympic Games just around the corner this is a very exciting year for sport and I am involved in the planning and delivery of two Olympic Torch Relay events and ‘Olympic Legacy’ inspired Community Games such as Evesham Festival of Sport, Droitwich 2012 Legacy Day and the Pershore Sport Relief Mile.

Other key projects this year include planning a delivering a wide range of sports activities for young people aged 14-25yrs through Sportivate (Sport England initiative) and working with the Specialist Sports Colleges to provide an after school sports program for first schools.

What sports are you personally interested in?
All of them, honest!!! But in particular Snowboarding, Rugby, Trail Running, Fishing and Cycling.

What’s your proudest moment through your career?
Getting the job in the first place was a pretty special moment, followed by the first time I organised a tournament, did a radio interview, ran holiday schemes and managed a team of sports coaches

Hobbies: Apart from sport, I love to travel, experiencing new things, walking the dog, seeing family/friends and going to the pub!

What is your favourite saying, quote or motto?
‘If you build it, they will come…’ (Field of Dreams)

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes please, I’m doing a charity cycle ride this Easter, 1400+ miles from Rome (Italy) to Evesham (UK) a whopping 1400+ bum numbing miles in just two weeks! I’m doing this with 10 friends from Evesham Rugby Club in the hope of raising £20,000 for Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

This daunting challenge is being undertaken as a mark of gratitude to the Neurology Department, for their huge efforts in trying to save the life of a good friend and fellow rugby player Matt Brace who tragically passed away from a head injury in May 2011.
The cycle will begin in Rome on 31st March and by travelling 100 miles a day we hope to be home on 15 April 2012 (my birthday!) for a HUGE Welcome Home Party!!

To find out more and/or to donate please visit http://www.allroadsleadtoevesham.com/

……Go on why not show your support and sponsor Mark for this amazing challenge!

i
Mark Williams
T: 01386 565229
E: Mark.Williams@wychavon.gov.uk

Droitwich Spa Arts 4 All Day - Saturday 10th March 2012, 12-4pm

Droitwich goes art mad!

Now in its fourth year, Droitwich Spa Arts 4 All is back again and is bigger and better than before.

Taking place on Saturday 10 March from 12-4pm there will be displays, activities and events across the town this year, where celebrations where previously based purely at the theatre, as Droitwich goes art mad.

The Norbury Theatre in Friar St. opens its doors to reveal taster sessions and performances of puppetry, Irish dance, youth theatre, bands and singing with feature performances from The W Factor finalists 2012, Droitwich Rock Choir and the Lighthouse Street Puppets.

Visual art exhibitions will be on show at St Andrews Parish Centre including Elmbridge Art Club, Droitwich Spa Photographic Society and youth art at Spa Youth Zone.

Music in St Andrews Shopping Centre will feature folk singer Deborah Rose, hip hop band Case Closed, Abby Davies, Robinson and Tina V, who will be sharing their recent experience from a workshop with Jamie Callum.

The Gardeners Arms will have a sculpture garden, a live literary event from local poet Sarah James at Parks Cafe with children’s storytelling at 4 pm. The library will host a puppet show, choirs and drop-in writing workshop and will also reveal new proposals for a mural at Netherwich Basin. There’s something for all ages from young to old and best of all it’s all free.
There will also be snacks and refreshments will be available throughout the event at the theatre, Parks Café or from around the town.

Jenny Davis Arts Development Officer at Wychavon said “I am delighted that Droitwich Arts 4 All is here again and growing in size. It is so important that people know about the local artistic talent and have the opportunity to get involved. This growing talent will help support and promote Droitwich’s cultural and economic growth. It is going to be a great fun packed day with a fantastic line up.”

Peter Hawkins, Chair of Droitwich Arts Network added:” It is amazing how much talent is blooming in Droitwich Spa and the surrounding area it is great to be able to present it to the town on 10 March”

If you want to know more then contact Peter Hawkins 07766 415094 or peshawk@talktalk.net

This project has been organised by Droitwich Arts Network, For Droitwich Spa, The Norbury Theatre and Wychavon District Council.

The W Factor Final!!!!

They’ve got The W-Factor!

The winners of The W-Factor – Wychavon’s very own search for the stars of the future – have been announced at a glittering final.

68 talented local youngsters aged 11-18 auditioned for the contest, and now the winners have been crowned at a packed final held at the Number 8 Arts Centre in Pershore.

17 acts and artists reached the grand final, which saw performers thrilling the crowds with live performances, as well as an exhibition from the winner in the visual arts category.

More than 200 people packed the Number 8 Arts Centre in Pershore to see the final.
The winners were presented with their trophies by Councillor Tony Miller, Chairman of Wychavon District Council – the council organises the competition every year. Councillor Miller said: "The power of art can bring about change. This has been seen tonight through the lift of confidence that The W-Factor has given these young people, both as artists and as people.”

The winners will all get the chance to work with experts to further develop their talents, and will be performing at events across the Wychavon district over the summer.

And the winners are…

Singing under 14s -Immy Ackland (13), from Sedgeberrow, who attends Prince Henry’s High School. At the final she sang ‘Who you are’ by Jessie J.

Musicians - Jazz band Blue Monday Jazz Quartet, who are Ben Burkes, Luke Pilot, Jack Solloway, and Daniel Gallant. They’re all aged 17 years and they’re from Droitwich Spa - they performed their own composition.

Singing aged 14-18 - Rose Johnson (15) from Sedgeberrow, who attends Prince Henry’s High School. She sang ‘Somewhere’ from the musical West Side Story.

Dance - Matilda Maginnis from Crowle, aged 14, attends Pershore High School. She performed a contemporary dance piece to the song ‘Iris’ by The Goo Goo Dolls.

Alternative - Molly Bater (15) and Emily Cooper (16) from Wyre Piddle and Upton Snodsbury, both of whom attend Pershore High School, won this prize with a comedy duet.

Visual art - Holly Winship (18) from Droitwich Spa scooped this prize, with a collection of stunning nature photographs.

Game On - March/April

Check out the new issue for March/April on Game On E-news. Game On is the sport E-newsletter bought to you by Wychavon District Council. Click the link below to view:

http://www.e-wychavon.org.uk/wychavon/sport/Feb2012/index.htm

It is packed full of the latest sporting news, events, funding opportunities, local club information, training and job opportunities. If your into your sport - you must check it out!

Highlights this issue include an interview with Mark Williams, The Sports Development Officer at Wychavon District Council, Information about the Sport Relief Mile, How to be involved in Community Games, Small Health Grants, Community Grants and much more!

So have a read and feel free to give us your feedback!

Kind Regards

Laura Barnard
Assistant Community Development Officer
Wychavon District Council
laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk

Giles Potter to Play at London 02 Arena!!!

02 National Singing Competition Final for Giles Potter!

Following his success in the W Factor, Giles potter from Worcester has just made it through to the Grand Final of Open Mic UK! He’ll now play one of the world’s best music venues after wowing the crowd and judging panel at the Open Mic UK Area Finals to land a place in the National Grand Final at The O2 in London!

After taking part in auditions against thousands of other unsigned musicians across the UK and impressing the judging panel with their vocals, they went on to perform live on stage, battling through both Regional and Area final heats. They’re now set to perform at the Open Mic UK Grand Final at the IndigO2 at the O2 in London on 21^st January 2012!

Previous winner Birdy still at only 15 years of age is currently a favourite on Radio 1 after signing with Warner Music. She’s enjoyed success with a top twenty album and two hit singles including her version of the Bon Iver classic “Skinny Love.” Last year’s under 18’s winner, Hatty Keane, has also had huge success after being signed to BGM Music. Since then Hatty has performed live sets alongside Tinchy Stryder, Zane Lowe, Tempa T and Roll Deep and is currently working on new material. Hatty’s latest video Best Kept Secret has received over 200,000 views on YouTube already.

A spokesperson for Open Mic UK commented “We are searching for an act that not only has the live ability to impress an audience, industry judges and A&R associates, but an act that has the potential to become a professional recording artist. The O2 is the best place to showcase your talent in front of a massive crowd and celebrity judges. It’s going to be a huge event and an experience of a lifetime for all our finalists!”

There’s over £50,000 in prizes up for grabs this year and the overall winner will be offered a recording contract, with up to £30,000 investment! They’ll also have the opportunity to tour across the UK. The competition is divided into age categories; 16 and Under, 17-22 and 23 and Over; all types of singers, vocal performers, groups and acoustic singer/songwriters are invited to enter Open Mic UK.

The Open Mic UK competition is also being filmed for broadcasting on Sky TV! A two-part series will be broadcast on Sky on Sunday 8^th & 15^th January. The Making of a Star comes to Sky 201 in the New Year, with a longer series planned for later in the year for the prestigious Live and Unsigned competition.

Open Mic UK is the biggest music talent competition in the UK for unsigned singers and solo artists. Every year over 9, 000 musicians enter the competition and it’s open to all genres, from rap and hip hop to acoustic and classical, the competition has it all. It’s also the sister company of the huge Live and Unsigned competition which starts again in January www.liveandunsigned.uk.com -

Whatever happens, The Grand Final of the competition will provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry including celebrity judges to be confirmed ahead of the final.

If you are aged 11-18 years and want to potentially follow in Giles' footsteps then book your W Factor audition now. For further details and an applcation form contact Laura Barnard on Laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk or call 01386 565497

The Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch will be passing through Wychavon next summer in the build up to the Olympic Games. The Olympics and the Olympic Legacy are not just about sport, they are about getting involved in your local community and celebrating this once in a lifetime event. Please share your ideas or suggestions about how your community could celebrate or is already planning to celebrate this event.

For more information or to express an interest email laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk

'W' Factor Winner - Giles Potter

Following his success in the 'W' Factor, Giles Potter is through to the Semi finals of Open Mic UK 2011!

Giles went to the regional finals at the NEC on 29^th October and was one of 6 picked by the judges to go through to the semi final on Sunday the 27^th November at the Corn Exchange in Bedford. When asked the judges said he was the best act of the day!

In the semi finals the winner and the runner up go through to the final at the O2 Arena in London on January 21^st 2012, which is actually Giles 15^th birthday. So it would be brilliant if he actually won on his Birthday!

Tara Potter is hiring a bus to take anyone who wants to go and support Giles to the Corn Exchange and hopefully to London in the New Year. So if anyone would like to come the tickets are £10 which includes the coach too.If anyone wants more details then they can contact Tara on Tara.Potter@dytecna.com If you would like to take part in the 'W' Factor and potentially follow in Giles footsteps then please contact Laura Barnard for further information and/or an application pack on laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk or call 01386 565497.

Live Life Health E-newsletter

Dear All,

Have a look at November/Decembers issue of 'Live Life' the Health e-newsletter:

http://www.e-wychavon.org.uk/wychavon/health/november/november/index.ht

Its packed full of all health information you need for the winter months, from keeping warm to the flu jab to drinking sensibly and funding opportunities.

If you would like to subscribe to Live Life the Bi-monthly health e-news then simply email laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk.

'Game On' Sport E-news - November/December Issue

Dear All

For the November/December issue of 'Game On' the sports e-newsletter from Wychavon District Council click the link below:

http://www.e-wychavon.org.uk/wychavon/sport/november/index.htm

The e-newsletter is full of Local Sport, Club & Funding information and much more.

To recieve the Sports e-news bi-monthly contact Laura Barnard at laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk

Artworks E-news

Keep up to date with local Art news and information with Wychavon District Council Bi-monthly Artworks e-news. To view the October/November issue click on the link below:

Artworks e-News Oct / Nov 2011

If you would like to include an article regarding local art news then email laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk

If you would like to receive the Art e-news by email every 2 months please contact Laura Barnard on 01386 565497 or email laura.barnard@wychavon.gov.uk.