Author: hydey

  • Weekly Update

    What’s happened this week?

    This week has seen further great progress on the Project and some fantastic performances by Essex athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    At Hadleigh Morgan Sindall have been working at a fantastic rate with the walls going up on the Hub buildings ready for the windows to go in. As many of you who use the footpath which passes down through the venue will have seen the trails are also progressing well despite the changeable weather and as always a reminder that the course remains closed whilst the works are taking place as it is a construction site.

    Hadleigh Mountain Bike Club have continued with their exclusive members only sessions on the course and have even been targeting different groups, for example adults, under 11’s and women so make sure you head to their website to check out these great opportunities to improve your riding skills once you become a member.

    Hadleigh Mountain Bike Club: www.hadleighmtbclub.co.uk

    We would also like to Congratulate Essex cyclist Alex Dowsett on his Gold medal in the Time Trial event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    What’s happening next week?

    Over the next couple of weeks you will start to see the clay pan tiles going on the roofs showing what the final roof colour and style will be like, with the works also continuing on the trails in the venue.

    Also remember there are still plenty of activities going on at Hadleigh Country Park which are organised by the Rangers, these include Kite making and a Bat walk so head to the Parks Events page for full details – hadleighcountrypark.co.uk/events/

    Finally, next week will be working on finalising our next newsletter which will be full of updates, information and reports on all that’s being going on with the Hadleigh Legacy Project.

    Until then, remember all the latest News and Updates can be found on the website: www.essexlegacy.org/news/

  • Hadleigh Farm Weekly Update 27/06/14

     

    What’s happened this week?

    Our trails contractors have continued their great work, helped by the good weather with them now working on some of the technical features and additional trails that are going in alongside the features.

    Morgan Sindall, our hub contractors, have been progressing at a fantastic rate with the roof now on the Hub buildings and the roofs to the Business Units to follow soon, once the floor has been finished.

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    Also we have been promoting an opportunity which has arisen within our wider project team for a Legacy Ranger Apprentice, for more information or if you’re interested in the role head to our News and Updates Page. 

    What’s happening next?

    Next week will see the continuation of current works with walls and windows as well as the new entrance road into the car park.

    See our Hub Development Plan for a reminder of the site layout

  • British Cycling–Regional School of Racing

    The day started with an hour drive to Codham Park for the first RSR of 2014. When I arrived it was time to get the bike out and haul all my kit up to the marquee, which there was a lot of as we would be there all day. Once we were in the marquee we were greeted by Rob Sharman and it was time to say hello to old faces from last year’s racing. Next it was time to be briefed for the day and to get our kit out and chairs set up for the classroom part of the day. To some peoples surprise the next thing that happened was that Rob asked if people had bought a teddy bear with them! This was to see if we pay attention to what he tells us to bring and to catch out those who just chucked a bag together and didn’t read the entire letter.

    The first part of the day was about what it takes to be a top level cyclist. We started with a presentation on the steps through Olympic programme and where we are at now. After the inspiring presentation it was time to talk about what it takes to make it to the top, we learnt about the four things that British Cycling look for in a rider which were, Highly Skilled, Fast, Good Engine and Tactically Aware. We then talked about the advantages of having these characteristics such as if you are highly skilled you can take A lines and make your race shorter meaning better lap times.

    Next we headed out to do some riding. The first thing we did was track stands; we started with our front wheel against a pole then moved on to doing them unassisted. Next we where lead in a loop and we had to practice moving our body around the bike, we practiced with our weight as far forward as we could then over the back. After that we did the same exercise again but moving side to side rather than back to front. The next Activity was manuals we started by trying to chuck ourselves off the back of the bike from still then moved on to the real thing. After refilling our drinks and snacks we headed back out to put the skills we had learnt into practice. We then focused on rear and front wheel lifts and practiced putting our front wheels onto stacks of bricks and crates. . Next was a session on the BMX track we looked at how few pedals we could do then had a session on how to pump better and another run to see if we could improve our scores.

    Next we headed back for lunch, it was important to fill ourselves with carbs and protein not sugar and fat as we need enough energy to keep going through the day. After lunch we made a start on braking, we started on the top of a hill and then we had to go down the hill but only with a specific brake and our weight over a different area of the bike. Soon after was probably my favourite part of the day, we learned how to control the bike when the wheels lock up so we went on a skidpan which as you can imagine was interesting to say the least.

    Last but not least it was time to put what we had learnt into practice with a race. We had to do 3 skills, on the first lap you had to put your wheel onto a brick stack, on the second lap you had to ride along a zig zag plank without your wheel falling off, and on the last lap you had to do a front and rear wheel lift over two sets of cones without hitting with either wheel. The punishment for failing any of the challenges was you had to get off and run around your bike 3 times. It was a great race but at the end of the first lap I unfortunately got a puncture.

    Overall it was a brilliant day and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt lots of valuable skills and many things about what I need to do to progress with my cycling…

    George Crocombe.

  • Weekly Update 23/05/14

    Weekly Update – 23rd

    This week on site Morgan Sindall started putting up the Steel works for the Business Units which gives you a clearer idea of the size of the building. Also work continued on the Hub building to prepare it for the steel works to start next week.

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    Works have continued on the trails with some great work being done so a wider range of

    users will be able to enjoy the venue.

    The site also hosted the MSG Aspire coaching session for the region’s best Under 16 riders  who are training and competing for a place on the Eastern Region team, for the Youth Inter-regionals later this year. This is where riders from all over the country compete for their regional team in several Mountain Bike events over one weekend to be crowed Inter-regional Mountain Bike Champions.

    Finally Hadleigh MTB Club are offering more exclusive sessions at the venue which remains closed to the public and even better they are free for club members so head to their website for more information.

    www.hadleighmtbclub.co.uk

    What’s happening next week?

    Next week the steel works will start going up for the Hub building and works will continue on the trails.

    Looking for something to do this Bank Holiday weekend then remember to check out the Hadleigh Country Park events page to find out what’s on or head to the Visit Parks website to find out what’s on at Parks around at the county.

    Latest News and Photos for the Project can be found at: www.essexlegacy.org

  • Weekly Update – Friday 2nd

    What’s happened this week?

    This week both contractors have again, continued their great progress especially with the Business Units and Hub building both being prepared for the steel works to arrive in the following weeks.

    Also the Trails contractor have been working on retaining and adapting various sections of the course, many of which can be seen from the footpath which runs from north to south through the Olympic Venue (marked by black dots on the Trail guide below)

    Here is where our Trail Guide is located on the Essex Legacy website, to help you choose a route to take: http://www.essexlegacy.org/hadleigh/trail-network/

    So with May being ‘National Walking Month’ you can use this as a reason to get out walking and be physically active whilst watching the course as it develops.

    What’s happening next week?

    Next week will see much of the same work happening on site and we will be letting you know what’s coming up at the Country Park as well as posting some more photos of the site as it progresses.

  • Weekly Update – Friday 25th April

    What’s happened this week?

    This week works have been progressing well, assisted by the good weather with both contractors are on track with their works.

    We are delighted to hear that many people were spotted using the new surfaced trail at the south of the Park, with both walkers and cyclists taking advantage of the long Bank Holiday weekend.

    However, just a reminder that the Olympic Mountain Bike Course is closed to the public, so if you would like to find out about opporunites to ride the course and improve your skills, you need to head over to the Hadleigh MTB Club website to see when their next coaching sessions is.

    What’s happening next week?

    Next week the team will start putting together ideas for our next newsletter which will go out at the end of May, giving an update on the Project so far as well as some other exciting going’s on and possibly .

  • Latest news from Hadleigh Farm

    Weekly Update – Friday 18th April

    What’s happened this week?

    Morgan Sindall have now completed all of the piling works so the increased noise that local resident have been experiencing should now be reduced however, if you have any questions, please get in touch with the Morgan Sindall team.

    You can contact Chris Travers – Contract Manager – 07580 515199 or call the HQ on 01473 255931.

    Hugh Pearl Ltd have accelerated their works on the Olympic course to take advantage of the ideal weather conditions.  Additional Intermediate trail is currently being constructed to increase the amount of mountain bike trail in the venue. 
    This week has seen more children using the Olympic course through the Mud Sweat and Gears Aspire programme, 3 young people from Hadleigh MTB club have been selected for this programme!!
    http://mudsweatgears.co.uk/aspire-youth.php
    Also we welcomed British Cycling’s Regional School of Racing, who delivered a training programme for the best young athletes in the East region.  Thank you to The Salvation Army for offering their support to make this happen. 

    What’s happening next week?

    Next week the final plans for the countryside management infrastructure will be produced, a pre-requisite of the new gates and fences to be installed to help protect the Natural and Historic environment

  • Latest news from Hadleigh Farm

    Weekly Update – Friday 28th March
    What’s happened this week?
    Morgan Sindall have continued their ground works to prepare the site ready for the next part of the construction process.
    Whilst Hugh Pearl have spent time re- invigorating parts of the Olympic course as well as creating part of the all accessible trail that will offer a wide range of users the chance to enjoy the fantastic view of Hadleigh Castle and the River Thames.

    What’s happening next week?
    Over the next week, Morgan Sindall are due to commence installation of the 382 piles. Whilst Morgan Sindall will make every effort to keep business as usual around the site, there is likely to be an increase of noise on these days between 8 am and 5pm, if you have any questions, please get in touch with the Morgan Sindall team.
    You can contact Chris Travers – Contract Manager – 07580 515199 or call the HQ on 01473 255931.

    However the removal of the existing buildings is now complete, with the demolished materials having been crushed and recycled to be used in the new build work.
    Also we are delighted to add that the Rare Breeds Centre, at Hadleigh Farm is re-opening on April 1st, after under-going improvements, providing another great place to visit this half-term.
    Head to: www.hadleighfarm.org.uk/visit-us/rare-breeds-centre for all the details.

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  • GB Squad at the track with our Boys

    Special Weekly Update – The GB Mountain bike squad helps Hadleigh legacy live on

    Since the games, the Essex Legacy and Active Essex teams at Essex County Council have been working closely with the local community to preserve this great sporting legacy. On Wednesday 19th March, years of determined sports development paid off when the GB Mountain Bike squad visited the park to train and work with young people from the Hadleigh Mountain Bike club.

    The club was formed prior to the games with support from Active Essex and is now fully prepared for when the course is open in 2015 with newly qualified coaches funded through Active Essex grants.

    In return for exclusive use of the track this week, the GB squad has taken valuable time out of their schedule to ensure the Olympic dream lives on. The young riders participated in three skill based activities then teamed up with the GB riders for a relay race before finishing with an individual race. Finally there was a question and answer session before everyone gathered for a photo where George Crocombe received a jersey from the GB Team for winning the individual race.

    The bike course is currently closed to the public until spring 2015, while works continue, however you can head to www.hadleighmtbclub.co.uk to find out more about upcoming opportunities to ride the course offered only by them.

    For more information about the Hadleigh Farm and Country Park Project head to: www.essexlegacy.org.uk.

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  • Hadleigh Farm Weekly Update

    What’s happened this week?

    Works have continued on both the trails and hub, boosted by the drier and warmer weather the project is progressing on time.

    From last week’s update you will see that the new facilities will be open in spring 2015, in the meantime the Country Park is still accessible with the new trails marked on our Trail Guide to help you find your way around and make the most of the sunny weather.

    Also don’t forget to stop by The Salvation Army Tearooms at Hadleigh Farm, which is located at the bottom of Castle Lane, from here you can head off on walks exploring the landscape, Hadleigh Castle or the Rare Breeds Centre. You could then stop to enjoy some food at the tea rooms which is renowned throughout the local community for its quality and the lovely atmosphere.

    Check out: http://www.hadleighfarm.org.uk/visit-us for more information about The Salvation Army at Hadleigh Farm.

    Next week we have exciting news of more special visitors to Hadleigh Farm and Country Park.