Celebrating people of differing abilities through dynamic sporting activities in the forest.
Please note that this event has been postponed due to a torrential downpour on the 6th June making it unsafe to carry on. We apologise to anyone who was disappointed by this and we plan to hold this event in September 2012. Watch this space for updates.
On Wednesday 6th June Haldon Forest Park 10.30 to 3pm
Join us this half term for a fantastic family-friendly event in the forest aimed at people with differing abilities.
As part of its latest programme, Games People Play, the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) has celebrated the Olympic year with a series of events that encompass the key principles of the Cultural Olympiad: inclusion, cohesion, collaborative working, community participation and excellence.
Bring all the family and celebrate the differing abilities of people of all ages through dynamic inclusive sport activities in the forest. CCANW has created the event with the expert support of South West Athletics Academy and CEDA. The SWAA has a specialism in coaching disabled athletes in their ‘Come and Try’ sessions through to athletes working towards national or international competition such as the Paralympics.
“The Forestability games will be great fun,” said Sonya Ellis, Head Coach SWAA, “with opportunities to try out athletics based events in a woodland setting such as speed-bounce, target throw, balance beam, sprints, mini hurdles, wheelchair events, standing long jump and vertical jump. Participants can buy an activity card for £1 to record their achievements. All are welcome to try them out”.
In addition to these exciting games CCANW have invited Burn the Curtain Theatre company to create their cycle and chair decoration workshop and there’ll be a performance by the Isca Wheel Chair Dancers.
“Disabled access to the arts and to the outdoors has always been part of what we do at Burn the Curtain, “ explained Jo Hancock, Artistic Director, “Working with Spoke n Chain two talented bicycle artists, we plan to decorate and prepare your cycles and chairs for an adventure deep in the woods.”
The day will be packed with activities and will include lunchtime performances by Isca Wheelchair Dancers, a dance group based in Exeter, offering people with opportunities to dance and socialise. With an ethos that dance is for everyone, the group welcomes anyone who is interested in dancing, regardless of how much support is required.
The group has a qualified dance instructor, Natasha Cole, trained by the Wheelchair Dance Sports Assocation and have entered national competitions. “It is a huge amount of fun,” explained Natasha, “and what we do makes all our day. It doesn’t feel like any effort as it is such a pleasure to do and everyone gets so much out of it. It’s also a great way to make new friends.”
The wheelchair dancers will perform outside the centre and include dances such as waltz, tango, samba and the cha-cha-cha.
Johanna Korndorfer, CCANW Learning and Development Manager, is looking forward to the Forestability Games, “This is a great day out for everyone to enjoy whether testing your sports skills in running, jumping and throwing or bike and chair decorating. Our volunteer games leaders will also be on hand for quirky playground favourites. Come and join us.”
