Northamptonshire celebrates health and wellbeing

FROM Irish dancing to African drumming, Live band to yoga demonstrations – it’s all happening this Sunday as Northamptonshire celebrates health and wellbeing.

The launch of the Northamptonshire Festival of Wellbeing takes place on Sunday 6 June at Franklin’s Gardens on Weedon Road in Northampton with a packed programme of free entertainment and information for all the family.

The timetable of events starts at 10am with Latin American dancing providing a demonstration and then a dance session for all!  There will also be demonstrations on Tai Chi and Chi Gong, Dhol drums in traditional costume, ballroom to tap dancing by Experience dance and fitness and then an open session of any dance with Northants Dance!  

The afternoon session starts with Dancefloor Project a live soul band known for their tight grooves and funky rhythms before moving on to a Tae Kwon-do workshop, Arab Egyptian dancing and a gospel choir!

The day also features Irish dancing, African drumming, yoga demonstrations, circus workshops, face painting, complementary therapies, a cartoonist and information displays from more than 40 local organisations.  There really is something for everyone!

“There’s more to good health and wellbeing than health services,” said Ann Crowder, Northamptonshire Healthcare’s equality and diversity manager.  “Physical health is important, but work, learning, family, friends, leisure and recreation, religion and faith are all important too.

“We are delighted with the response we have received from local groups and organisations.  They make such an important and positive contribution to people’s health and wellbeing in Northamptonshire.

“The festival is a great opportunity to celebrate their work and have some fun, and also to find out more about the services, support they provide, and the many opportunities for social activities, leisure and recreation.”

The Northamptonshire Festival of Wellbeing started on Tuesday 1 June and runs throughout the whole of June with more than 130 activities for all the family.

Highlights of the festival include:

• Complementary Therapy taster day organised by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on June 9
• Youth and Wellness Event organised by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on June 12
• Festival of Food organised by Heart and South Enterprises on June 13
• Outdoor yoga in Delapre Abbey gardens, Northampton organised by BALANCE Yoga on June 16
• Great Fathers Day bike ride round Stanwick Lakes organised by Cultural Community partnerships on June 20
• Nordic walking round Fermyn Woods country park, Brigstock organised by Active Edge Solutions on June 20
• Woman to Woman social afternoon organised by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Wellingborough on June 26
• World Peace Fete for all the family to enjoy at the Nagarjuna Buddhist Centre, Kelmarsh on June 27
• Sunday Sizzler barbecue organised by the Northampton Bangladeshi Association on June 27

The 2010 Northamptonshire Festival of Wellbeing has a full diary of events and activities to help you make the most of your health and wellbeing. With more than 130 events taking place between 1 June and 8 July there really is something for everyone, whether you're interested in fitness, music and the arts, discussions and information sharing, or simply having a great, fun time with family and friends.