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