Email Newsletter March 2010
Dear Count Me In! Supporter,
Welcome to the second Count Me In! update – a brief guide to what the programme has been up to over the past few months and all the excitement which is just around the corner.
In Tewkesbury we’re lucky to be one of only nine Healthy Towns in the UK participating in a Government-funded initiative to encourage the local community to make healthier lifestyle choices about what they eat, how active they are and how they use resources.
Since our launch last year, the Count Me In! team has been busy rolling out events and activities to promote the programme – updates on which can be seen at: www.countmeintewkesbury.com.
2010 is all set to be the year of Count Me In!, you’ll see dozens of CMI-funded events popping up and CMI-supported initiatives all across the borough and we welcome your continued support of this programme.
A busy year so far...
University Evaluation
Count Me In! was delighted to see thousands of Tewkesbury borough residents respond to a University-led survey questioning residents’ views on eating healthy foods, transport, and physical activity. Four of the thousands who completed the survey were picked at random to receive a hamper of goodies as our way of a thank you for getting involved.
Read more online...
Newtown Cycle Path
Count Me In! has watched with excitement as Gloucestershire County Council extended and improved the Newtown Cycle Track, paving the way for a whole host of Count Me In! cycling events which will take place throughout the summer.
Read more online...
Tai Chi and Women’s Running Network
Count Me In! kicked off 2010 with a push on fitness, setting up and supporting new courses for those keen to battle the bulge and get active. In January, we launched new Tai Chi sessions as well as promoting a women’s running network for beginners.
Read more online...
Get Cycling
We’ve teamed up with national community cycling group Get Cycling to teach Tewkesbury schoolchildren innovative ways in which bikes can change their life. Get Cycling will run bike roadshows at up to 10 schools in the five Tewkesbury wards teaching children, from reception age to sixth form, the importance of cycling for health, fun, practicality and the environment.
Read more online...
Healthy Catering Challenge
The results are in on the 27 Tewkesbury caterers taking part in the Healthy Catering Challenge to improve the nutritional content of the food they serve. The traders are now working with nutritional experts to recreate their most popular dishes with reduced levels of fat, salt and sugar.
Read more online...
Welcome to the adiZone
Work has begun on the eagerly awaited Count Me In! adiZone – a giant multi-purpose outdoor gym in Tewkesbury – the only one of its kind in the South West. Installation is expected to be completed during March when there will be an official launch with the help of our good friends and joint funders at Adidas!
Read more online...
Tewkesbury School Enrichment Day
Hundreds of Tewkesbury School pupils took part in a health-inspired Enrichment Day organised by Count Me In!. We teamed up with Gloucestershire Food Vision, NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Trading Standards and Hartpury College to run sessions teaching Year 11 pupils the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle.
Read more online...
Share the Load grants for businesses
Count Me In! is encouraging local employers to install provisions encouraging their staff to cycle to work by offering grants of up to 50% to help fund new cycle parking and other facilities that will make cycling easier, safer and more convenient.
Apply for a grant and read more online...
We’re looking forward to...
adiZone
In late spring we will be unveiling the adiZone at The Vineyards, complete with a launch and a whole host of activities for all age groups. The permanent installation includes a basketball, football and tennis area, a climbing wall, an outdoor gym and an open area to encourage dance, aerobics and gymnastics.
Follow progress of the adiZone online.
Let’s dance
Count Me In! is organising a series of dance classes. These began with a Dance Festival on March 6th and will include a variety of sessions for all ages and abilities.
Food Festival 2010
Once again Count Me In! will be heading to the Food Festival this year, complete with a range of healthy activities to involve all the family.
Cycle events
The Count Me In! cycle team is busy planning a range of exciting activities which can be enjoyed from the comfort of a saddle. From the opening of the Newtown Cycle Track to a Count Me In! festival, there will be plenty for all the family.
Northway Orchard
Count Me In! has teamed up with Northway Parish Council and NARHA (Northway Area Residents' and Homeowners' Association) to turn part of Joan’s Field in Northway into a community orchard. Over the next few weeks volunteers from the community and local schools will help plant the site.
Adult Education (Cooking Classes)
Count Me In! and Gloucestershire County Council have teamed up with The Wiggly Worm charity to run food classes at two venues across Tewkesbury. As a result of these popular demonstrations, two permanent classes have been set up. More classes will be established this year at Alderman Knight School and at 13 additional venues across Tewkesbury in September.
That’s all for now...
We’ll be in touch soon with more news from Count Me In!
Are you in yet?
If not, register at
www.countmeintewkesbury.com