On the Road to Wellbeing

A new fitness facility rolls into North Norfolk on 14 June, and residents are invited to see how it can help them get into shape without them having to travel for miles.

The £200,000 mobile gym, which has been entirely funded by Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund, will travel the District for the next three years at least, giving people a chance to improve their fitness that they might not otherwise have, if they live in remote places or have difficulty getting around.

It will also target groups that traditionally don't use, or have been unable to use, normal sport and fitness centres: girls and women, older people, people with disabilities, and disaffected young people.

The gym is officially unveiled to the public at 2pm on Tuesday, 14 June at East Ruston Village Hall. Many local media will already have received invitations to the launch event. If you have not, please contact Nick Manthorpe on 01263 516059 or email media@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Furthermore, the media are invited to attend from 1pm, when the gym is due to arrive at East Ruston, so you can see the vehicle 'unpacking' and conduct interviews with VIPs and the public in advance of the official opening at 2pm.

When it comes into normal, public use it will cost members of the public £1.50 for a one hour session, and will be open to hire by community groups, as well as being used by Sure Start (another major funding partner) for work with very young children for two full days a week.

The gym sets off on its schedule of visits to schools, village hall car parks, market squares, and other venues across North Norfolk, on 20 June. First sessions include:
• Stalham car park (off High Street) from Monday, 20 June 6 to 8pm: public capoeira (South American martial art) session.
• Thursday, 23 June at North Walsham New Road Car Park, 11am to 12 noon for mental health patients only;

Other activities yet to be confirmed include public gym sessions at Hunworth Green on Wednesdays, pilates at Langham on Wednesday mornings, and gym sessions at Sea Palling Friday afternoons.

ENDS