Big Wheel Turns Out To Be What It Promised: A Fit And Fantastic Community Day

Published on: 30 May, 2015
Updated on: 31 May, 2015

The Big Wheel – Spring into Action event drew the crowds on Saturday (May 31) with fun and action for all the family.

Held on Bannisters Field, off Egerton Road, near Guildford’s Tesco store, the sun shone on the community event that focused on cycling, walking, sports, fitness, healthy living and wellbeing.

Fiona Giles tries out the pump track hosted by B1ke.

There was plenty to see and do for people of all ages. The bicycle pump track saw people trying out their riding skills, while others tried their hand at soft archery. Guildford Play Rangers were busy with a special bicycle that makes smoothy drinks while you pedal.

The Matrix Trust’s basketball challenge.

The Matrix Trust set up a basketball challenge for youngsters and the Spinney Children’s Centre and Westborough parish churches offered crafts for younger children.

The Mayor of Guildford, Nikki Nelson-Smith has a heart monitoring test courtesy of the British Heart Foundation and Spirit health club.

The Guildford Bike Project gave tips on bike maintenance, while the Guildford and Godalming Branch of the British Heart Foundation teamed up with the Spirit health club at Guildford’s Holiday Inn to offer heart monitoring tests and promoted healthy living.

Among the stands were representatives from the Surrey Strop Smoking Service, Guildford Borough Council’s community development team, the Royal Surrey County Hospital, the new Neighbourhood Angels project, Christians Against Poverty and Walking for Health.

Caught in the Act provided live music.

Motivate Stoke offered plenty of activities and encouraged people to make video diaries, and there was live music throughout the day by the band Caught in the Act.

Pictured with the mayor are community warden Tracy James and far right David Rose of Joining In!

The Mayor of Guildford, Nikki Nelson-Smith opened The Big Wheel that ran from 11am to 4pm.

The day was hosted by the Joining In! project (managed by Voluntary Action South West Surrey) that supports community development, and Guildford Borough Council’s community wardens service.

Joining In! project co-ordinator for Westborough and Park Barn, David Rose, said: “It was a fabulous day, the sun shone and the crowds came. For a first event of its kind, and at a venue that does not normally see anything like this, we were so pleased that people came and enjoyed themselves and hopefully gained a lot of knowledge about health and fitness too.

“There was a steady stream of people all day long and we estimate five to six hundred people attended.”

David, and fellow organiser Tracy James, the community warden for Park Barn and Westborough, thanked the many people who volunteered to help make the event a success.

They said: “It would not have been possible without the tireless help over the past six months of planning this day from Sheila and Bob Willis, Eric and Gillian James, and Neil Smith. We’d really like to thank everyone, but special mention must also go to Wayne McShane, chairman of the Park Barn & Westborough Association, fellow association member Alastair Knowles, Eddie Soan, the team from Guildford Lions, plus all those who helped out making and serving refreshments.

Cakes for the tea tent were kindly donated by the bakery at Guildford Tesco, the Park Barn Centre and local resident Claire Pearce.

Although it was not a fundraising day, proceeds from the sale of refreshments will be donated to Guildford Lions and the Park Barn Centre.

Rodney Bates and Sam Hutchinson of GBC’s community development team.

Those participating were pleased with the day. Guildford Borough Council’s community warden supervisor Rodney Bates said: “There was a good flow of people and a good atmosphere all round.”

Roland Seber gives some bike maintenance tips.

Roland Seber from The Guildford Bike Project said they had plenty of people come to talk to them about their social enterprise scheme that refurbishes donated bicycles and promotes self-reliance and self-confidence by giving young people and jobseekers the opportunity to learn, acquire new skills and gain work experience. He added: “We also had the chance to meet and network with other organisations here too!”

Annie and Chris Ogle of Electric Bikes Guildford.

Chris Ogle who runs Electric Bikes Guildford said there had been a lot of interest in the range of powered cycles he sells.

Chris Hills who runs Jellytree, that offers digitally creative courses and support for young people was delighted in the video diaries people made on the day as part of his Motive Stoke Project. He added: “Once we have edited them we hope to offer a video stream link with the Guildford Dragon NEWS so that readers of your website can view them.”

Having a go at soft archery.

The Travel SMART team giving useful information.

Jim Philpott and Roland Seber on the pump track.

Free security bike marking was also available. In the picture: neighbourhood watch administrator and Surrey Police volunteer Anthony Fielding, one of the event’s main organisers Sheila Willis, Steve Payne from Glade and volunteer Neil Smith. Lots of other cycling giveaways were also snapped up on the day.

Fun and fitness demonstration by Guildford Wellness Academy.

Funfair attraction: volunteer Eddie Soan.

Nicola Bassani and Rachel Guilford from the Diocese of Guildford’s Neighbourhood Angels scheme.

Jo Fiander and her children from I Am Resilient, that offers training courses.

Trying out Guildford Play Rangers’ smoothy bike.

The Travel SMART team with a Brompton Dock foldaway bike.

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