Castle Bromwich Community Website

Are you aware that fitness classes run Monday to Friday evenings at Park Hall School including during school holidays? (Cancelled on bank holidays)

Details of the classes held and times can be found HERE

For more information call Lisa Hadden on 0121 770 3822 or email lisa.hadden@parkwood-leisure.co.uk

Now this is a GREAT idea!!! I wonder if the information is posted at Arden Hall public entrance, or the library in Hurst Lane North, or Morrisons supermarket?  

I was really excited by the Park Hall Fitness Timetable when I saw it yesterday as I have been looking for a fitness class, as opposed to sporting activity, that I can attend with my son who is 12. Needless to say I was hugely disappointed on phoning the school to find that the classes are suitable only for those 16 and over. Now I am sure we are all agreed that more needs to be done to encourage physical fitness in our children but it seems that the only thing deemed suitable for them is "Street Dance" which a lot of kids "mainly lads" would not be interested in. Can anyone explain to me why we are told to encourage our kids to be active yet cannot provide them with the facilities and choices to make it happen?

I totally agree with you that it's a nonsense and personally couldn't see why these fitness classes were only suitable for those over the age of 16 so I phoned and asked, and as you would expect it's down to them not being covered on the insurance for anyone below that age. I've asked a few questions about whether there are any fitness classes locally that are available for all ages to participate in together and am drawing a blank. Obviously something that we all need to make a noise about and see if we can get things changed as I'm sure that it must be possible to get insurance for something like Tai Chi, after all it's not a contact sport where somebody is likely to be hurt by clashing with somebody twice their size. I agree that it's really important that everyone is physically active and that team sports aren't suitable for all. Also think it's important that we have the opportunity to participate in things with our children.

I know of a fitness centre at the Shard End Community Hall, Packington Avenue, Shard End.

Could this be of use to you?

On the other hand, here in the parish of Castle Bromwich, we have a wonderful under used, and desperate for funds, Arden Hall.

Could not the Parish Council organize something to off set the rising costs to the residents?

Each band D (1684 of the houses) pay £53 plus,  per year to keep the Parish Council going, and £214,000 to the Parish itself comes out of the Community Charge.

Surely we can use our rescources to accomodate the youth, the up and coming future, of this area, by utilising the under used Arden Hall?

A fitness centre!!!! Great idea.

Heatproof at 03:03PM on Aug 26, 2009

I know of a fitness centre at the Shard End Community Hall, Packington Avenue, Shard End.

Could this be of use to you?

On the other hand, here in the parish of Castle Bromwich, we have a wonderful under used, and desperate for funds, Arden Hall.

Could not the Parish Council organize something to off set the rising costs to the residents?

Each band D (1684 of the houses) pay £53 plus,  per year to keep the Parish Council going, and £214,000 to the Parish itself comes out of the Community Charge.

Surely we can use our rescources to accomodate the youth, the up and coming future, of this area, by utilising the under used Arden Hall?

A fitness centre!!!! Great idea.

Neither of the centres you mention offer the services that I and many others are looking for. I would send my son to a sports centre elsewhere in Birmingham but I wanted to keep this a Castle Bromwich focussed issue.

Quote: "Neither of the centres you mention offer the services that I and many others are looking for. I would send my son to a sports centre elsewhere in Birmingham but I wanted to keep this a Castle Bromwich focussed issue."

Just in case there is anybody reading this who is in a position to try and provide what you are asking for, can I just ask that you are explicit about a few points?

1. What are the services that you require? The Fitness timetable for Park Hall School listed several different types of fitness classes, was it something specific that you had in mind or would any general fitness class be acceptable? Is Tai Chi as acceptable as Boxercise? Is it general fitness classes that you and others ae looking for or are you looking more for gym type facilities?
   
2. If asked, could you provide evidence, for example a petition, to show that many others want this or point somebody who was willing to try and change things in the direction of those you know want these services.
   
3. Even though you wish to keep this discussion Castle Bromwich focused, does the service have to be in Castle Bromwich? You have said no to Birmingham locations, what about other Solihull based locations such as the North Solihull Sports Centre or somewhere on Kingshurst? If for you it has to be Castle Bromwich, is this the same for the other people you mention?
   
4. Are you specifically looking at something that you and your son could do together or if the insurance is the sticking point, would a fitness class for under 16s be acceptable?
   

May I suggest that you make your feelings known to the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Councillors who hold a surgery at the library in Hurst Lane North on certain Saturday mornings. I know they will listen, and advise. 

SMBC Borough Councillor Surgeries are held the 1st Saturday of the month 10am-12pm

Okay. This website is all about Castle Bromwich. I want to help improve services and facilities in Castle Bromwich for all but especially the uncatered for youth. I phoned Park Hall this week and was told that ALL of their classes were for the 16plus age group only. With regard to what is going on in other parts of Birmingham, I don't want to bring that into this forum as telling people to go to Solihull, Yardley or Sutton is not improving the situation in Castle Bromwich. I don't want to make this an issue just about me either. I want to know why a wide range of fitness classes cannot be made available to under 16 years old in our region as there are plenty of them. No I do not have to attend the classes with my son, though it would be nice to have the option, but I want it to be a bit more fitness focussed than what I have seen in other regions of Birmingham ie Street Dance and Trampolining. My son and many other children would not be interested in this. Let us give them options, we have marvellous facilities in Castle Bromwich but don't seem to know how to maximise their potential.

Thank you for the information. It does help when people are trying to get things changed to be able to explain exactly what is required and to know whether any compromises would assist. Knowing that although the ideal is to be able to do things together, but that sessions for under 16s only would be acceptable might help.