Armed forces and services leisure offer

Staff in those sectors will be able to use facilities at Festival Hall, Kirkby and the Lammas, Sutton, as well as Hucknall, Selston and Huthwaite Leisure Centres, without charge on the weekend of 28th and 29th June.

“We wanted to recognise what the armed forces, emergency services and hospital staff do for us as and give something back to them,” said Nick Stowey, who is general manager at the Festival Hall and Huthwaite Leisure Centre.

“They do a fantastic job and this is our way of saying thank you.”

“It’s the first time we’ve done something like this and it’s something we might well repeat if it goes well.

“We were looking at this particular weekend and it just so happens it is Armed Forces Day on 28th June, so it fits perfectly.

“We appreciate there is not a local base around here for some of the armed forces personnel concerned, but there are people who do come home and use our facilities, so they will be able to take advantage of our offer.”

Ashfield’s leisure centres are run by Everyone Active and their offer will apply to use of the gym, swimming and a selection of exercise classes.

But those taking advantage must book in advance due to the likelihood of a higher demand and they must have an induction if they have not used Ashfield’s services before.

“We’re hoping we will get a good response and the people we have talked to about it already have been enthused,” added Nick.