The Outdoor Show  - This is at the NEC at Birmingham, March 17 –19th. As well as canoeing there is camping equipment, rock climbing, mountain biking, diving and lots more. To find out more visit the web site www.theoutdoorshow.co.uk

Primary Sports Camps – These are for 6-11 year olds with special needs. They are run by WheelPower (British Wheelchair sport) but are also open to children with conditions such as dyspraxia or epilepsy. There will be a range of activities including Basketball, Indoor Athletics, Fencing, Kurling, Short Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Polybat, Carpet Bowls and Zone Hockey.

There are 6 of these camps throughout the year at different locations around the country.

Sat March 18th – Stoke Mandeville

Sat April 15th – Sheffield

Wed May 3rd – Manchester

Sat June 3rd – Bristol

Sat July 29th – York

Sat Oct 21st – Birmingham

More information can be found on the website www.wheelpower.org.uk

I already have entry forms for the March event if anyone is interested.

 Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp – This camp is for 11-18 year olds and will take place on Sat April 15th at Stoke Mandeville. There will be a similar programme to that of the primary camps. Look at the web site or e-mail for information

 Watersports festival – We could attend this as members of Notts clubs for young people. It will take place from Friday 14th – Sunday 16th July. The youngest participants are 8 years old but there are no upper age limits so everyone can go.

 The price for the weekend is £43 per person. You can find out more at the web site www.ncyp.org.co.uk

 Follow your dreams roadshow – This is a charity which sponsors young people with learning difficulties into arts, drama, sport or music. The roadshow is touring Britain to raise public awareness and funds. They will be in the Four Seasons Shopping centre, Mansfield from Wed 22nd – Sat 25th Feb. Anyone with a learning disability can go along to show off their talents by singing, dancing or showing off the medals they have won for sport throughout the year.

 To find out more visit the web site www.followyourdreams.org.uk

 The 1st British swimming championships for people with learning difficulties – This event takes place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield on Sat 15th July. There will be races for elite swimmers and also an open event for non performance swimmers. There is a contact telephone number for this event 01924 234 912

 Special Olympics canoeing championships – This event will be held at Holme Pierrepont in June alongside the main regatta. Although only people with learning disabilities, who belong to the special olympic movement, can be picked for the GB Team for the World Games in 2007, the event organisers will welcome “guest” paddlers who want to have a go at competition. Further information and entry packs can be obtained from Geoff Smedley by e-mailing

 Boccia Leaders Award course – This course is designed for people to learn and teach the game and will take place at Bircotes Leisure centre on Sun 26th Feb. Cost £30. Anyone wanting to go should e-mail

 Wheelchair Skills Course – Karl Hassell’s parents are trying to organise a course with the Association of Wheelchair Children. The course would be free, and the course organisers will provide chairs for those children who don’t have their own. The course is for a weekend on Sat and Sun from 9.30-3.00

 They are presently sorting out a venue and date for the course but need to know how many youngsters would be interested. If you want to know more please contact them by e-mail at