Agenda item

The Leisure and Events Manager introduced the Sports Update to the Committee, highlighting some of the major events that had taken place on the Heath. These included the recent 10,000m athletics event, the City Dip, and the second Hampstead Heath Tug of War. He concluded by welcoming the new Hampstead Rugby Club representative Simon Taylor and  noting that Richard Sumray had taken over as Chairman of the Sports Forum

Richard Sumray updated the Committee on current sports issues, suggesting that the contract with British Military Fitness be continued. He noted that the last Sports Forum had had a verbal presentation from the London Orienteering Klub and that a presentation on the future use of the Lido was forthcoming.

The Superintendent briefed the Committee on the proposal to use portable battery powered floodlights on the Heath for sports. He noted that it was proposed to use them two nights a week to allow teams such as Hampstead RFC to train on more than one pitch, to prevent pitches from being damaged through over-use.

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson, the Operational Services Manager noted that staff dealt with imprints in the soil arising from sports by power harrowing. Richard Sumray added that despite widespread concern over damage to turf in Greenwich Park prior to the Olympics, the ground there had recovered very quickly.

The Leisure and Events Manager noted that large events such as the London Youth Games and the South East Cross Country Championships had a long affiliation with the Heath and it was hoped that this would continue. Nevertheless, recognising the potential of these events to damage the Heath in the event of poor weather he suggested that the practice of inviting Committee members on pre-event walks be revived.

In response to a question from Michael Hammerson the Superintendent explained that the term ‘reorienting the lido’ referred to the fact that the café was not sustainable in its present location and therefore The possibility of providing service to outside of the lido compound was being considered.