1. Chamberlink July Aug 1-30.qxp_Chamberlink 29/06/2021 11:53 Page 14
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14 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2021
On your bike! Bikers are due to enjoy the new bike trail in Cannock Chase Picture: Birmingham 2022
Cannock Chase gears up to host mountain biking As Birmingham takes to centre stage to host events as part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, other venues across the West Midlands are gearing up to host other events. Cannock Chase District in Staffordshire will entertain the men’s and women’s mountain biking competitors during August, 2022. The Birches Valley site in Cannock Chase Forest, managed by Forestry England, will be the Games’ most northerly venue. Councillors have already agreed to contribute £50,000 to a new, blue-graded mountain bike trail which is currently under construction by Forestry England and will form part of the Games’ course. They are also considering spending a further £40,000 to £50,000 allocated to upgrading the interpretation and way marking for the existing 10mile Cannock Chase Heritage Trail. The trail links Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford and takes in the new McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. The council’s portfolio holder for heritage and
leisure, councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald said: “While the mountain biking event will be staged for one day only, we recognise that being a host district during the Games will present significant legacy opportunities that can last for years beyond the event in August 2022. “The Heritage Trail is a great way for people to explore our district and appreciate its history and keep healthy at the same time. It takes in many local attractions including going past the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet and the Museum of Cannock Chase.” A further £8,000 will be spent on local volunteering plans – in addition to Birmingham 2022’s own Commonwealth Collective volunteering programme - and £2,000 allocated towards hosting Birmingham 2022 Roadshows in the district. With local businesses in mind, the council will be taking part in the Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Programme (BATP). In addition to the Games, there will also be a local programme of events and activities taking place.
Rallying call for Games volunteers More than 13,000 volunteers are being sought for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The volunteers – known as the ‘Commonwealth Collective’ – will be a dedicated and dynamic group that will reflect the diversity of the West Midlands as well as the modern Commonwealth. The majority of volunteer roles don’t need any formal experience or qualifications, with full training provided. Volunteers will be used as drivers, first aiders, meet and greeters, venue preppers, kit carriers, courtside assistants, amongst other roles. The 13,000 volunteers who form the Commonwealth Collective will receive approximately 250,000 hours of training and complete one
million hours of volunteer time. Twenty-five thousand shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview at the Volunteer Selection Centre between September and December 2021. To mark the launch of volunteering applications, Birmingham 2022 enlisted the help of para swimming legend and Birmingham 2022 board member Ellie Simmonds, Team England rugby sevens player Heather Fisher and Commonwealth gold medalwinning boxer Galal Yafai to encourage applications. Ellie spent the day helping to help clean up Walsall’s canals with litter picking charity ‘World Against Single Use Plastic’. Galal spent the day disguised as a volunteer at the 5UP community
boxing gym in Handsworth, a project supported by the United By Birmingham 2022 community programme. Heather helped set up a training session at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, before surprising young players with some coaching tips. • Coleshill-based Incorporatewear Ltd has been appointed by Birmingham 2022 to design, produce and supply the uniform to the entire Games workforce. As Official Workforce Uniform Provider for the Games, the business will also be responsible for delivering the uniform for technical officials, for Batonbearers during the Queen’s Baton Relay and the Commonwealth Collective.
