Activities in and around Shropshire
Gliding to Performing Arts
Glider flying
Shenington Glider Club is situated near Banbury in Oxfordshire about 2 hours drive from Shrewsbury. This is a very friendly club that has an adapted glider with hand controls. The training glider has a two man cockpit and the canopy can be removed to allow easier access. They have a very positive attitude and welcome everyone to come and try out this exhilarating sport. As they are only a small organisation they do not have funding to provide plush disabled facilities. There is a ramp to the clubhouse but no designated disabled toilet (we suggest you use the motorway facilities before you arrive). What they can and do provide however is the right atmosphere and goodwill to assist you to participate if at all possible. The initial fee provides you with 3 months membership to the club and that includes a trial lesson. To read a personal account of gliding click here.
Gym fitness suites
The Severn Centre Fitness Suite at Highley
Many of the leisure centres in and around the county have fitness suites that you can access with a wheelchair. The equipment that is suitable for wheelchair users varies in each but the qualified instructors are very happy to work out an individual programme to suit your abilities. There is an assessment process for each facility and pre-booking is essential. Once this is in place you are welcome to use the suites at your own convenience (during opening hours). The photograph above shows some of the accessible equipment at the Severn Centre in Highley, as shown the seats swivel out of the way to allow wheelchair users to position themselves correctly.
(Welshpool) The Flash Leisure Centre 01938 555952
(Shrewsbury) The Quarry 01743 281574
(Oswestry) The Leisure Centre 01691 659349
(Highley) The Severn Centre 01746 860000
Golf
There is a charity called Handigolf that provide hire of especially adapted golf buggies that wheelchair users can play from. The seat swivels in order to allow an individual to putt and drive in situ. It is possible to hire the buggy on a trial basis before committing yourself to a full year.
Not all golf courses within the county feel that these are suitable for their facilities. However Llanymynech Golf Course is very friendly and has a very positive attitude and already has several people with disabilities amongst its members (although they manage with conventional buggies). They would welcome you to come and try out a handigolf buggy on the course before becoming a member. Telephoning beforehand to arrange a convenient time is essential to avoid competition days etc. The clubhouse does not have any especially adapted wheelchair access but we were able to gain entrance to the bar with assistance. Incidentally the golf club is situated on the top of a hill and the views from the course are breathtaking.
Hang Gliding (Tandem)
Airways Airsports are based at Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Peak District. They offer tandem hang gliding, paragliding and microlight flying (see below) for people with disabilities. Tandem tuition on the aerotow means they can accommodate people for air experience flights and full courses. The flight or course is run to exactly the same syllabus as for able bodied pilots, all they ask is that you bring whatever assistants and mobility measures you need to get around the airfield, along with you. There is ramped access into the office and waiting area and an accessible toilet. As with many outdoor sports the weather plays an important part in flight availability so vouchers are valid for a period of months to ensure that if the day booked is unsuitable for flying, you can make arrangements for an alternative date.
For further details telephone 01335 344 308 or check out their website.
To read a personal account of this sport click here.
Grants may be available towards flight fees from the charity Flyability which is the disability initiative of the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.
Ice Skating
At Telford Ice Skating Rink, it is possible to take your wheelchair on the ice. Users will need to ask a member of staff to operate the lift down to the rink and also to negotiate the step down on to the ice. You will also need an assistant who can skate and push you round. There is a good accessible toilet and a café. There is a concessionary fee for wheelchair users and carers and no booking is necessary. Please ring 01952 291511 to enquire about session times.
Microlighting
Microlighting is another exhilerating sport on offer at Airways Airsports in Derbyshire (also check out hang gliding above). Wheelchair Users need to be able to transfer but as you can see in the photo above the seat is open and can be easily accessed. There are plenty of instructors on site to assist with transfer if required and it would be possible to bring your own portable hoist. N.B. Although you are strapped in, you would need to be able to stay seated in an upright position. Lessons and flight experiences take place in tandem but there is a microlight operated by hand controls only, for those wishing to master the sport and fly solo. Your flight or course will be run to exactly the same syllabus as the able bodied pilots. Most students undertaking microlight courses do not need assistance, beyond the tuition. This makes our wheelchair using microlight pilots almost completely autonomous.
For further details telephone 01335 344 308 or check out their website.
To read a personal account of this sport click here.
Airways can also offer this experience in France and there is accessible accommodation in the area near Laragne and Sisteron.
Model Aero Flying
Shropshire Model Flying Club meets at Forton Airfield Montford Bridge near Shrewsbury on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Those interested in trying out the activity are welcome to go along and try out the club training planes (with instruction) for a couple of sessions free of charge before becoming members. There is an accessible portaloo on site and the club already has several wheelchair user members. Tel: Abbey Models 01743 272740.
Netball
The country’s first wheelchair netball club meets on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm at The Priory School in Shrewsbury. Members use the clubs sports wheelchairs to practise and play a game. It is open to all ages and has members of both sexes. It provides a fun way to exercise and the games are energetic and fast. No experience is necessary just enthusiasm. Visitors are welcome. During the summer months there is a programme of other activities including tag-rugby.
Paintballing
This takes place on an old airfield at Rednall Paintball Arena near Oswestry in the north of the county. During the week it is possible for small groups from two people to have a go. Protective clothing including helmets and overalls are provided but we recommend you wear substantial long sleeved clothing underneath even in summer. The paintballs can cause some discomfort when they hit you even through the protective padding so if you are particularly sensitive this may not be suitable. The terrain of the site means that a pusher is needed for manual chairs in order for you to concentrate on aiming at your targets. The paintball guns have a gas bottle attached but to lighten them for wheelchair users this is placed in a bag on the back of the chair. The guns can be used one handed. Any excess paint will wash out of clothing and off of wheelchairs with water if you do it the same day. There is a pressure hose on site to remove the majority at the time. The friendly staff will make every effort to assist you to participate and enjoy yourself. There are toilets on site but not a designated disabled one, the nearest one is about 2 miles away at Mile End Visitor Information Centre on the A5 at Oswestry.
If you would like to read a personal account of paintballing click here.
Paragliding
It is possible to try out Tandem Paragliding with a company called Beyond Extreme that are based in Church Stretton and who fly of off the Long Mynd. As you are strapped to an able bodied person they are able to support you during take off and landing. Unlike parachuting that involves an initial fast descent this is a gentler but equally exhilarating sport and the views over the Shropshire countryside are breathtaking. You need to wear suitable clothes such as those used for country walking and boots or strong trainers. It is a good idea to take a picnic and sun screen if the weather is hot. To read a personal account of paragliding click here.
Flyability is the disability section of The British Paragliding and Hangliding Association and it offers sponsorship towards tandem flights.
Performing Arts
Shropshire is fortunate that within the county there are two organisations associated with performing arts that actively include members who are wheelchair users.
DASh (disability arts in Shropshire) and The Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company are both based in Shrewsbury but are involved in events throughout the county (and further afield).
DASh supports and promotes disabled artists in the county and has an interesting and varied programme throughout the year that includes taking part in the Ludlow Festival (see photograph).
Blue Eyed Soul has pioneered dance theatre for over ten years and tours both nationally and internationally. It involves a partnership of disabled and non-disabled people to create a distinctive and authentic dance repertoire that embraces and cherishes difference.