Enabling Parishes

The Harborough District boundary includes 87 parishes and covers 240, (mostly rural) square miles. For this reason, the Sport and Health team have worked hard over the last few years to establish relationships with parishes to engage with local people, particularly in the smaller settlements outside of the main towns in the district.

Following the Council's 'Annual Parish Liaison' event in November 2017, Arnesby Parish Council approached the Sport and Health team for assistance in setting up a regular village table tennis evening, for which they had identified a local demand. Using Sport and Physical Activity Public Health funding, we provided Arnesby Parish Council with a small start-up grant of £150 to pay for bats, balls, nets, refreshments and room hire for the first 4 sessions.

Harborough District Council produced the promotional material whilst the Parish Council identified available dates in their village hall and generated local interest.

The first session began in January 2018, at which 20 village residents aged 8 to 72 years attended and participated. A set of dominos was brought along by a resident so those waiting for a table to play could remain engaged and help themselves to refreshments. Sessions are now delivered bi-weekly and the Parish Council has taken responsibility for their organisation.

"I like the fact that we can come down to our local hall for a game which I can play with my mum and daughter. It's also nice to see neighbours in the village who I have not seen for a while." Arnesby Table Tennis Participant

'Case Study from Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport's 2017/18 Annual Review'