 Christchurch residents in their thousands were attracted to the first Fit Christchurch Fun Day at the Quomps on Christchurch Quay to take advantage of the many events and attractions laid on by the organisers and to sign up to join the project and the sports clubs represented there. The perfect sunny weather was an added bonus, particularly to the people who volunteered to get dunked into the Dunk Tank, all of whom got very wet. Included in the volunteers for dunking were Christchurch Council’s chief executive, Michael Turvey and Christchurch’s new police inspector, Lance Cliff. Children were keen to try out the inflatable assault course, the sumo wrestling suits, the bucking bronco and the NEOS machine and some of them even got a chance to test their skills on the gladiator duel against Sam Bond, who appears as Atlas on TV’s Gladiators. More than 60 organisations were represented – everything from bowls to fencing – and many of the exhibitors put on exciting displays to show the crowds what their particular sport was all about. Dorset Taekwondo Tigers, Sukhothai Martial Arts, Espada Fencing and Pure Funk dance group were just some of the exhibitors who thrilled the audience with their skill while Rebel Riders encouraged people to take part in a little line dancing. The event organiser, Pete Griffiths from Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, said: “We believe we put on a fantastic programme of events but we were still ecstatic with the support of the local clubs and businesses and by the number of people of all ages from the local community who attended this community event. It was so successful we’re going to make it an annual event – next year on 18 September.” Michael Turvey, chief executive of Christchurch Council and chairman of the Christchurch Community Partnership Health and Care action group, added: “It was wonderful to see so many local organisations come together to promote the wide range of sporting activities already available. It makes you realise just how much goes on in Christchurch. The idea behind Fit Christchurch is to bring it all together and the Council and the Community Partnership are working together to make this happen.” More than 500 people signed up to be members of Fit Christchurch on the day to show their interest for what promises to be an exciting project. More information on Fit Christchurch is at www.dorsetforyou.com/fitchristchurch |
