THE NEWSLETTER FOR HAVERING MAYESBROOK AC MEMBERS
October 2004
Training
resumed at Hornchurch Stadium on Monday, September 27th and the general
consensus among those using the track is that it has been laid to a very good
standard.
Field
facilities are not yet in use but outstanding work should be complete by the end
of October. This includes provision to allow pole vault competitions to be held
from either side of the Stadium (depending on the wind conditions). In addition,
a paved area is to be laid alongside the high jump to enable easy
roll-on/roll-off of the cover.
There will be a further delay (getting necessary approvals from Sport England) before new high jump and pole vault beds are delivered together with more practical covers for the long jump pits. To be able to bring some competition back to the Stadium next year, we will also need considerable amounts of new equipment and appropriate discussions are in hand with suppliers
Although
it is too late in the year to organise a competition to celebrate the re-opening
of the Stadium, the Club’s Finance & General Purposes Committee is
arranging for a ‘low-key’ opening ceremony to be held on Sunday, October
31st (10am – 12noon).
Local
dignitaries will be present and we hope that many of our athletes and coaches
(past and present) will turn up to celebrate in a small way what is, after all,
a remarkable achievement. The oldest all weather track in the UK has been
refurbished through funding raised, in the main, by the Club (some £268,000).
As
it’s a training morning, activity will be taking place on the track –
something for our visitors to watch. The event will also provide a publicity
opportunity for the Club – never a bad thing!
Do
please come along at some time between 10am and 11am on Sunday the 31st. At
approximately, 11.00 a.m. there will be a simple ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony.
As
part of the Club’s new lease agreement with the local authority (not yet
signed), we will be responsible for maintenance of the track including cleaning
on a regular basis. In practice, the local authority will provide the Club each
year with a sum of money sufficient to ‘buy-in’ the maintenance service from
an approved supplier.
Clearly, it will be important for members to treat the track and field facilities with due care and attention. As Autumn moves into Winter and the infield gets wetter (and muddier), every effort should be made to avoid the track becoming ingrained with mud. We have to urge coaches, therefore, to minimise the use of the infield. Indeed, for health and safety reasons (the latest UKA regulations are very stringent), much of the infield will be a ‘no-go’ area except for retrieval of throwing equipment. Track certification will, to a certain extent, depend on the Club carrying out regular risk assessments.
Except
for Summer competitions, hammer throwing will not be available at Hornchurch but
good training facilities for such exist at Mayesbrook.
It
is hoped to refurbish the Hornchurch Clubhouse in the near future. For the first
time in many years, the Club will be able to provide hot, cooked food at
meetings next year but the existing kitchen facilities are inadequate. In any
event, the Clubhouse is long overdue a facelift.
Just
a reminder that use of the Fitness Suite is restricted to competing, fully
paid-up members who are working under the supervision of their coach.
Track
and Field Team Managers (U17s)
Having
completed their stint as U17 Track and Field Team Managers, Sue Deane and Colin
McVicar have decided to step down. The 2005 season may seem a long way off but
before we know it, the cross-country season will be over and we will be looking
at Spring Warm-up meetings etc. We need somebody, therefore, to step forward
and take on the role (job sharing has worked well). If you are interested, talk
to Sue or Colin as to what’s involved but please also contact Jean Tierney,
the Club Secretary on 01708 341547 to express your interest.
The Club would like to offer our congratulations to four long standing members who have recently got married, Karen Naylor to Gary Howard, Danny Gamester to Carla Shabbon and Debbie Sullivan to Russ Appleton. We wish them every happiness.
Club
places will be available to members who receive a rejection slip from the race
organisers. Contact David
Bland on 01277 231456
It’s that time of the year again when we remind club athletes that the Boxing Day Handicap will again be taking place on Sunday, 26th Dec at 11.00 a.m. at the usual venue, Rise Park, Romford. The course is for over 16s and over 4¾ miles. Registration from 10.45 a.m. Further information from Dave Bland Tel: 01277 231456.
The Club always needs helpers to mark and marshal the various courses - no technical knowledge is required just a desire to help our athletes during the winter season. Our first home fixture is on Saturday, 30th October, so if you have a couple of hours to spare please come along and assist. Further information from David Bland on 01277 231456.
Boxing
Day Handicap December
26th at Rise Park, Romford
Club AGM
Essex
County Championships
Due
to ill health, Charles has had to retire from the Club Committee.
Charles
current roles include Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary. He has been a
member of the Club since 1972, is a Life Vice President, a qualified timekeeper
and a senior club coach.
The
club will find it extremely difficult to replace such a valued
member. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
Vacancies
on the Finance & General Purposes Committee
The
Club is seeking volunteers to replace some existing members of the F&GP
Committee who will at next year’s AGM be retiring. Among the vacancies will be
a new Membership Secretary, due to the retirement of Charles Mustoo (see above).
The
existing committee have been in operation for many years and some feel it is
time for a change.
Without
new members on the committee the Club will not function. If you think you can be
of any help in the running and organisation of the club please contact
Secretary, Jean Tierney Tel: 01708 341547.
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