METRO
Opening doors to sport
Website: http://www.metroblindsport.org
Twitter: twitter.com/MetroVISports
Metro Newsletter - Mid Monthly Issue - November 2016
To all Metro members and friends,
Now that the fireworks and bonfires are out of the way and we
lead into Christmas and the New Year, I hope you can find
something of interest to fire you up and get you out and about
over the next few months.
I hope to see many of you at the Metro AGM on Friday 25th
November 2016. The bar is open from 18:00 - 23:00 at the
Union Jack Club, Gascoigne suite, Sandell Street, Waterloo,
SE1 8UJ (Tel:0207 902 6060) 2 minutes from Waterloo station.
Hot food will be served to everyone who has confirmed.
This is a great opportunity to network, meet the trustees, sports
leads and staff and your opportunity to tell me what should be
included in the January edition.
Make sure you let me know you are coming no later than the 21st
November 2016 and your dietary requirements.
Yours in sport,
Roy
Email: [email protected]
HELP METRO BY VOTING FOR US AT THE AVIVA
COMMUNITY FUND BY THE 18 NOV!
Metro Blind Sport has the opportunity of winning between
£1,000 and £25,000 from the “Aviva Community Fund – Show
you care”. But we need YOUR help by going to this link:
http://bit.ly/2dOGNMz and voting for Metro Blind Sport.
The closing date is the 18th NOVEMBER 2016.
So, we need your help by voting NOW as the more votes we
secure the better our chances of success.'
Carol McFetridge, Fundraising Officer
You can use the search box to find the charity of your choice, to
find Metro, just type in Metro Blind Sport. It will then show you
our event, which we hope to help fund - Metro Athletics Open!
You have to register to vote, but you get 10 votes to use how you
want. You can give all your votes to one project or spread them
across up to 10 projects. The choice is yours!
1. CYCLING
Tandem Front Rider Training Opportunity
This great opportunity is for pilots who would like to develop their
own cycling techniques and support others in getting active to
come and build up their tandem cycling confidence, techniques
and fitness in preparation for supporting a visually impaired stoker
in the future.
When: Sunday 27th November 2016.
Time: 10:00- 12:00
Where: Lee Valley Velopark – Closed road circuit.
For more information and to register your interest, please contact
Rob Mace- British Cycling: Phone: 0161 274 2078
Email: [email protected]
Cycling Sub-Committee Meeting
Following the announcement in the last newsletter of the
formation of the new cycling subcommittee, we will be meeting for
the 1st time at the : Pocklington Hub, Entrance D, Tavistock
House South, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LG on the
08 December 2016 at 18:30.
Places are still available for members and cyclists to join, please
let us know by the 01st December. Agenda will be sent out to
all those who have confirmed their attendance.
2. HOCKEY
ADAPTED HOCKEY – HOW ITS PLAYED
East London hockey club has adapted hockey for VI players by
using audible cricket balls (hard plastic) which rattle when
hit/moving.
They have also started to use floor lacrosse sticks which have a
cage at the end of the stick so that players can trap the ball and
then choose to pass or release it. Trapping the ball helps control
the ball without the worry of losing it if they lose control/sight of it.
They are also in the process of making adaptations to hockey
sticks to have a tactile “brail rail” so that players can feel which
way round they should be holding it. So why not try Hockey and
go along to their launch day.
EAST LONDON HOCKEY CLUB - FLYERZ
SESSIONS
Flyerz Hockey is an inclusive hockey for those with any disability,
impairment and/or additional need. All abilities welcome, all
equipment will be provided.
When: Every Sunday (Launches Sunday 13th November 2016)
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 Cost: Free
Where: Mile End Leisure Centre, Astro Pitch, E3 4RR
Click here to signup: http://bit.ly/2e2CP80
For more information and to register your place, please contact
Adam Thomas:
Phone: 020 7993 9883
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.accesssport.org.uk
3. TENNIS
Doubles Tournament - Islington 2017
To all metro tennis players, we will be holding a doubles
tournament at the Islington tennis club. We have booked 3 courts
for this event. We will provide a packed lunch and drinks.
When: Sunday 05th February 2017
Where: Islington Tennis Centre (ITC), Market Road, London, N7
9PL
When: 10:00-18:00.
Please make a note in your next year’s diary. Invitation and
registration form will follow in December for all Metro players only.
We will be looking for umpires and volunteers to support this
event.
VI Regional Tennis Tournaments 2017
The dates & locations for next year’s VI regional tournaments
have been released as below.
18 February 2017 - Loughborough - Jonny Rudge
Contact: [email protected] / 07903 975 211
9 April 2017 – Birmingham - Simon Lancaster
Contact:[email protected] / 07946 469 506
13 – 14 May 2017 – Northumberland - Steve Trewick
Contact:[email protected] / 07889762580
15 – 16 July 2017 - Cambridge - Fiona Musgrove
Contact:[email protected] / 07564910651
26 August 2017 – Sutton - Luke Mulvihill
Contact:[email protected] / 07734 468
660
3 – 4 September 2017 – York - Andy Crockett
Contact:[email protected] / 07926172939
The entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Get
the dates in your diary now! For more information contact: Kirsty
Thomson
Phone: 0208 4877068
Email: [email protected]
4. CRICKET – VI AWARENESS DAY
Surrey county cricket club would like to invite you to their VI
awareness day. On the day participants, will learn skills through
game based scenarios and then match play/tournament attending the day will give all participants an insight into all the
options available around VI Cricket.
There is no specific age range however we would like as many
young people as possible to attend. Although cricket is the main
focus for the day, there will be talks from current VI Surrey &
England coaches and players, sharing their experiences.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch however
light refreshments will be provided on the day.
When: Wednesday 07th December 2016
Time: 11.00 - 14.00 Cost: Free
Where: The Kia Oval, Surrey county cricket club, Kennington,
London SE11 5SS
For more information:
Contact: Chevy Green - [email protected]
Phone: 07738808919
5. GOLF - TEE OFF 2017
Disability Sports Coach and The Golf Trust
Ever thought what it’s like to play golf, now here is your chance to
have a drive and a putt.
On the 7th January we're hosting a unique golf day in
partnership with The Golf Trust. 6 of our Community Clubs
have had 4 golf taster sessions this term thanks to The Golf Trust.
The Jack Petchey funded project has enabled over 80 disabled
people the opportunity to try a new sport.
The goal is now to get as many club participants as possible to
attend Golf Trust sessions and play the sport outside their club,
recreationally or competitively. This event is open to all disabled
Londoners aged 11 years and above.
When: Saturday 7th January 2017
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Where: Willesden Sports Centre, Brent, London NW10 3QX
Cost: Free register on the day.
For more information please contact Emma Cranston
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7021 0973
6. SAILING – JUBILEE SAILING TRUST
Lord Nelson and Tenacious
Lord Nelson and Tenacious are the only tall ships in the world
designed so they can be sailed by a crew with widely varied
physical abilities. Whether you choose a Day Sail or a month-long
passage voyage, with the JST you can get your teeth into as
much or as little of the action as you feel comfortable with.
Every aspect of shipboard life is available to all, from setting the
sails, going aloft and helming the ship.
Among the many features found on Lord Nelson and Tenacious
are:
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Wide decks for ease of movement
Lifts between deck levels
Power-assisted steering
Signage in Braille
Guidance tracks, tactile stair strips and raised directional
arrows on handrails.
For more information and a copy of the 2017 brochure or simply
sign up to their newsletter visit:
Website: http://bit.ly/2eRPjM3
Phone: 023 8044 9108
East VI Cruise Dates - 2017
Below are the dates for our next year's cruises for you to put in
your calendar!
In the New Year application forms and deadline dates will be sent
out. Please note the September cruise now runs from Friday to
the following Saturday, not Sunday as in previous years.
Weekend Cruise:
Friday 12th May to Monday 15th May (arrive Friday evening,
sailing Saturday, Sunday and Monday AM)
Push Boat Out Week: (Taster Days)
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18th May principally ESAB
19th May principally Action for Blind
20th May Saturday taster day - to coincide with 20th
Anniversary of EAST
Taster weekend: Friday 2nd June to Sunday
4th June (arrive Friday evening, sailing Saturday and
Sunday AM)
September Cruise: Friday 8th Sept. to Saturday
16th Sept. (arrive Friday evening, sailing Saturday to Friday
evening - home Saturday)
As you know, we were quite short of sighted crew this year so
giving you the dates this early will hopefully mean more of you,
our sighted crew, will be able to join us for one or more of these
cruises so we can accommodate our growing list of VI sailors.
Please don't forget we also need crew for our one day trips in
Push the Boat out Week.
For more information:
Contact: Anne Williams Cruise Coordinator
Phone: 0786 8226604
Email: [email protected]
7. SKIING - VISUALLY IMPAIRED SKI WEEK AUSTRIA
The Ski Company in association with The Jubilee Sailing Trust
have put together a week's skiing experience in the mountains of
Austria for the Visually Impaired, their family, their friends and
their supporters.
Having a visual impairment should not stop anybody from feeling
the freedom of learning to ski. By using specialist qualified
instructors and helpful volunteers, we hope to give the individual
and their family the chance to experience the joys of skiing. This
will we hope, build a love for the mountains and skiing that the
whole family can enjoy together in the future.
The experience of learning to ski is one we hope you will never
forget, and by giving people a helping hand we will explore
together this environment, gain and develop new skills, make new
friendships and continue the work of the JST in breaking down
barriers for a better and more inclusive world.
When: 19th - 26th March and/or 26th March – 02nd April.
For more information and to request a place click on the link:
http://bit.ly/2eRQX0h
Any further questions: Phone: 020 8858 9535
8. BLINDFOLD GAMES
Audio Games for the Blind. Do you like Playing Card Games
or Racing a CAR?
Blindfold Games creates audio games for visually impaired
people, with dozens of games for the iPhone, iPad and iPod.
Enjoyed by thousands of people worldwide, the games are so
popular because they are fun, appeal to all ages, and they just
feel “right”.
The suite includes casino games like Blackjack and Bingo, card
games like Crazy Eights and Rummy, puzzle games like Simon
and Colour Crush, TV games similar to Wheel of Fortune and
Word Ladder, and active games like Bowling, Pong and Pinball.
For more information visit their website:
www./blindfoldgames.org/about
9. VICTA
VICTA provides support to children and young people who are
blind or partially sighted and their families.
They organise activities designed to improve the emotional, social
and living skills of the children and young people that we support.
Bringing children and young people who are blind or partially
sighted together to socialise, have fun and travel whether in the
UK or abroad helps them to realise just what they can achieve.
A snippet of some of the activities that’s coming up in the
New Year
When: 21 to 24 January 2017
Where: Bath, Somerset
Age: 18 to 29 years
Cost: £90 (this includes your hotel, breakfast, afternoon tea on
Saturday and all organised activities.
Participants will need to pay for their journeys to and from Bath,
for dinner every day and lunch every day except Saturday.)
Closing Date: 19 December 2016
More information and check out the activities they provide and
sign up for email updates at: http://bit.ly/2fkjbl1
10. SMALL CHANGE, BIG DIFFERENCE
A new report published on 17th October by leading national
charities, British Blind Sport and Women in Sport, highlight a need
for providers to improve their activity offers for blind and partially
sighted women.
The new report titled Small Changes, Big Difference, is the first of
its kind to explore how sport and physical activity affects the lives
of visually impaired women.
Read the full report here: http://bit.ly/2eAAxbB
11. SINGING
VIP Singers Group
Please join the group if you enjoy singing and have a visual
impairment, no experience necessary and everyone is welcome.
When: Every Saturday (until the 17th December 2016)
Time: 10:30- 12:30 Cost: Free
Where: St Thomas’s Hospital, South wing committee room,
Westminster Bridge road, London SE1 7EH.
For more information: Phone: 07503 330375
Speak Out & Hear My Voice
SINGING AND COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP FOR THE
VISUALLY IMPAIRED, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Learn to sing with a professional choirmaster! Fun, easy to learn
songs with lively music in a relaxed environment
When: Wednesday 14th December 2016
Time: 11:00 - 15:00
Where: Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston upon
Thames KT1 2PT
Cost: Free. Sponsored by NHS South West London in
collaboration with Health watch Kingston and Singing It Back.
Places are limited, to book your place and for more information
contact Health watch Kingston Phone: 0208 974 6629 or Email:
stephen hardisty
12. ILLUMINATE FREEDOM
Brand New FREE Christmas Taster Classes!
Learn how to improve your balance and coordination with sight
loss, and enjoy the freedom of movement - New FREE Christmas
Taster Classes.
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Blind Zumba
Blind Street Dance
Dance for Health
Move and Express
Where: 3 locations - Sobell Leisure Centre, Finsbury Park,
Finsbury Leisure Centre, Old Street or RNIB's Bradbury Oak
House, East Dulwich.
When: Full details, times, days, locations and class descriptions
will be coming soon. Groups welcome. Watch this space!
December's Freedom Event is our Christmas Cabaret 2016
This Christmas, we are combining our love for a Christmas party,
with our love for dancing, singing and performing, by bringing you
our first Christmas cabaret 2016. Hosted by Louise Dickson,
founder and director of Illuminate Freedom, alongside special
guests, funny man William Safo and the wonderful Ines Sudar.
Featuring music and performances from Soul Vision, Ebony Rose
Dark, AKA Mickel Smithen, Adi Latif, our blind street dance group,
and much more! plus raffles, prizes and the chance to join in with
our big audience Christmas sing-a-long!
When: Saturday 10 December 2016.
Time: 15:00 Where: Platform, Hornsey Road, N7
Volunteers: We are always in need of more help, so if you would
like to support us on the day by joining our Volunteer Team, we
would be very grateful. Free Visual Impairment Awareness
Training will be provided.
For further information or sign up for the newsletter:
Website: www.illuminatefreedom.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07956 632 099
13. SENSE
As part of our Sporting Sense Project, Sense will be running
various sporting and physical activity sessions across London in
various locations and venues over a 2 year period.
All of our sessions are open to anyone over the age of 14+ who
have a sensory impairment and they are not borough specific
sessions; if you are happy to travel we are happy to have you
come along. A précis of the sports on offer include:
Wall Ball!
These sessions are for individuals who are deafblind or have a
singular sensory impairment. The sessions are fully accessible for
all abilities with a range of lead up/training activities available.
When: 1st block: 28 November, 05 December, 12 December, 19
December. 2nd block: 09, 16, 23, 30 January,06, 13 February
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Where: 1 Crowthorne Road,London W10 6RP.
For more information and to book your place:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07876 870 943 (contactable on Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday)
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Multi-Sports
These sessions are for individuals who are deaf blind or have a
singular sensory impairment. Parents, carers and support workers
are welcome to come along and join as well.
When: 1st block: 28 November, 05 December, and 12
December.
2nd block: 09, 16, 23, 30 January, 06,13,20,27 February
Time: 18:00 - 19:00
Where: New Barnet & Southgate, Learning Disability Centre of
Excellence, Southgate Campus, High Street, Southgate, London,
N14 6BS
Sports Themed Sensory
Sessions are for individuals who are deafblind or have single
sensory impairments as well as having additional physical and/or
complex support needs which may mean other activities are not
as accessible for them.
Dates: 1st Block of sessions: 26 Nov, 03,10, 17 Dec. 2nd Block
of sessions: 14, 21, 28 Jan,04, 11, 18, 25 Feb and 04 March
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
Venue: New Barnet & Southgate, Learning Disability Centre of
Excellence, Southgate Campus, High Street, Southgate, London,
N14 6BS
For more information and to book your place:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07787504237
Website: www.sense.org.uk
14. THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Sunken Cities: Egypt’s Lost Worlds
Submerged under the sea for over a thousand years, two lost
cities of ancient Egypt were recently rediscovered. Their story is
told for the first time in this blockbuster exhibition. Access for blind
and partially sighted people audio descriptive guide and tactile
images.
Enhance your exhibition experience further by visiting the hands
on desk in the exhibition foyer. You can handle objects that will
give you greater insight into the exhibition.
When: until 27 November 2016
Where: British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B
3DG
Time: 11.00 to 16.00.
Cost: An exhibition ticket is £13 for a disabled person, and a
disabled person’s assistant ticket is free.
Click here to book: http://bit.ly/1XrsQJZ
Phone: 020 7323 8181
15. THEATRE - AUDIO DESCRIBED
PERFORMANCES
National Theatre - Peter Pan
All children, except one, grow up.
When/Time: Sat 17December 2016 at 14:00 with a Touch Tour at
12.30pm and Monday 19 December at 19:00.
Booking Tickets − National Theatre Access List
To book tickets at the Disabled concessionary rate, you will need
to be subscribed to our Access List.
Read more information, and print off a sign-up form online.
For more information: Phone: 020 7452 3000.
Email: [email protected]
Matilda
Revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and
the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.
When:
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Saturday 10 December 2016, 2.30pm (Touch tour 12.30pm)
Sunday 5 February 2017, 3pm (Touch tour 1pm)
Saturday 6 May 2017, 2.30pm (Touch tour 12.30pm)
Sunday 9 July 2017, 3.00pm (Touch tour 1.00pm)
Where: Cambridge Theatre Earlham St, London WC2H 9HU
For more information Phone: 08444 124648.
Email: [email protected]
Aladdin
Will sweep you into a world full of beauty, fun and breathtaking
spectacle!
When/Time: Thurs 15 December 2016 at 19:00 with a Touch
Tour at 17.30pm.
Where: Lyric Hammersmith, King Street, Hammersmith, London,
W6 0QL
For more information and booking:
Phone: 020 87416850. Email: [email protected]
ANDY HOWARD RUNS FOR BLIND SPORT!
Andy is in full training for next year’s London marathon and you
can follow his training blogs on the Metro website including half
marathons he has entered in preparation for the London
Marathon on the 23rd April 2017.
Please ask your colleagues, friends and family to sponsor Andy.
Donate: http://bit.ly/1SdQHtb
This edition is the last one for 2016. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all our partners and members for all their
contributions we have included over the past 12 months. I hope
you all find something to keep you active and keep off those dark
and gloomy nights from our website calendar of activities.
The next edition will be out by the 15th January 2017.
MEMBERSHIP 2016/2017 – HOW TO JOIN
A very warm welcome to all those members who have joined
recently.
We now have over 300 members and it’s thanks to you that our
events are running so successfully with your support. Please do
not hesitate to contact me if you would like any help in taking
away barriers and obstacles which prevent you from participating
in any activity.
If you have any friends or family members who want to join, see
below:
Membership for adults over 18 years is £5.00 per annum and
£50.00 for life membership and free membership for under 18’s.
1. Pay Online. http://bit.ly/1QZKT0m
Joining Metro online saves a considerable amount of
administration time and cost to our charity. Your details are then
correctly stored and you will receive the 2 monthly newsletters
and all Newsflashes in the format of your choice.
Your 12 months’ membership will start on the date you joined
online and the computer system will send you an automatic thank
you and a reminder in 12 months’ time for renewal.
2. By Bank Transfer - BACS.
It is extremely important when using BACS that you use your
name as the reference at the time of transfer as this will show up
on the bank statement and then we can manually update your
details onto our membership system.
Barclays Bank | Sort Code: 20 80 57 | Account number:
70849758
3. Pay by Cheque.
Please make your cheque out to “Metro Blind Sport” and post to
Amanda Green, 5 Mead Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1AU.
If you have any queries concerning your membership, please
contact either: Ian Francis on Tel: 07814 751643 or email him at
[email protected]
Membership ensures that you receive the current newsletters and
any subsidy towards activities Metro provide. It is important that
sport leads know that they are selecting current members to
represent the club.
4. Renew Online
This can be done via the Member login area: http://bit.ly/29HFDpL
NOTES FOR YOUR DIARY
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Keep checking our Events list: http://bit.ly/204yFOw and our
latest News page: http://bit.ly/20sjons or follow us on Twitter
@MetroVISports http://bit.ly/1nORDYh to get the latest event
Information as it arrives!
Please check out the latest information at:
East London Vision (ELVis):
Website: www.eastlondonvision.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone:020 3697 6464
South East London Vision (SELVis):
Website: www.selvis.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone:020 3815 3660
Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB):
Website: www.aftb.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone:020 8423 5141
If you are member with a story to tell or a Metro partner with an
event to shout about, please send your articles to Roy Smith for
inclusion in the mid-month newsletter by the 05th or to
[email protected] by the 25th for inclusion in to the
Metrozine.
Tweet your events and sporting photos to @MetroVISports and
we will happily retweet! Your feedback is always welcome. If you
have any questions, feedback on any of the articles or
suggestions, please feel free to contact me at:
[email protected]
By working together, we can aim to increase our ability to meet
the needs of our members.
Yours in sport,
Roy
Roy F Smith MBE
Director of Sport Development
www.metroblindsport.org
www.lvif.co.uk
www.pocklington-trust.org.uk
W/H: 020 8255 7788
M: 07803 288083
E: [email protected]
Disclaimer: Please note that inclusion of information in this
newsletter does not imply endorsement of products,
campaigns or services by Metro Blind Sport. Metro Blind
Sports are not responsible for the content of external internet
sites and events.