Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

“Following the successful debut of Open Weekend in Hethersett in July, the feedback from residents and attendees from further afield is that they would like more of the same in 2011.

“As a consequence Hethersett’s Olympic Committee has already started planning for next year with an ambitious commitment for bigger and better,” said Chair of the Hethersett Olympic Events Committee and Hethersett Parish Councillor Shane Hull.

“The village remains committed to attracting the Olympic Torch in 2012 and is keen to showcase all that is good about Hethersett. Open Weekend 2011 will provide another excellent showcase,” Mr Hull added.

In recognition of the fact that Hethersett organised more events per head of population over the Olympic celebration weekend this year than any other village, town or city in the country, Hethersett received the prestigious inspire mark along with letters of thanks from Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Stephen Castle, National and Regional East Chairman who said:

“The weekend is something that Hethersett should be proud of. Hethersett and its residents have been a real inspiration to the East of England,” Mr Castle said.

Events in 2010 included Hethersett’s Got Talent, Sport in the Park, a Ladies five-a-side football tournament, a special two mile fun run round the village, an inter denominational church service and a closing concert in Hethersett Parish Church. The weekend also brought a visit from Sir Keith Mills deputy chairman of the London Organising Committee.

Shane Hull also appealed for additional help to make the 2011 event a bumper one: “These events don’t just run themselves and we will need plenty more volunteers to help either during the weekend or before,” he said.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the organisation of the 2011 event can contact Shane on 07879 628943 or by e-mail on sh@howards.co.uk. Details of this year’s event and the 2011 weekend are also available on www.hethersett.org.uk and on Facebook.

* * *

News Update - February 2011

A come and try sports day, a talent competition, a church service and a concert are just some of the events being organised at Hethersett in July as part of the build up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Hethersett’s Olympic Celebration weekend will take place from July 22^nd to 24^th and will build on the success of the 2010 weekend which attracted over 2,000 people and which was runner-up in the Eastern Daily Press Event of the Year awards.

Events already lined-up for 2011 include a Friday 2012 lengths swimming marathon at Hethersett Junior School, a Hethersett’s got talent competition at the Village Hall, a come and try it sport in the park day on the Saturday, a church service organised by Hethersett and District Churches Together on the Sunday, a ladies five-a-side football tournament and a closing Last Night of the Proms style concert in Hethersett Parish Church featuring the Pulham Orchestra.

One of the highlights will be the Sunday morning two mile run the square fun run. Last year this event attracted over 250 runners from serious competition athletes to the fun-runners, many of whom wore fancy dress.

Last year’s sport in the park event gave over 1,000 people the chance to try sports and games as diverse as tug of war, martial arts, bowls, cycle speedway, badminton, golf and tennis. This year’s event will follow a similar format and it is hoped to include even more sports.

The programme is being organised by the Hethersett Olympic Committee under the auspices of Hethersett Parish Council.

The village is also looking to organise another come and try it sports event in May with support from Active Norfolk. This will provide the public with the chance to receive coaching and take part in archery, rounders, tennis, Watt bikes, lacrosse and golf and will help with Hethersett’s entry into the South Norfolk village games in June. A venue and date for the May event still has to be finalised.

Chair of the Olympic organising committee Shane Hull said: "I would urge everyone to make a note of the Open Weekend dates in Hethersett. The Olympic Committee aim to host more events in 2011, make them accessible to all and encourage mass participation."