The main speakers at the recent Farnham Sports Council meeting were Philip Potter, the chair of Farnham Town Running Club (FTRC), and Dr Ed Wernick from the Central Surgery representing the Farnham Primary Care Network.

Potter attended the meeting to promote a new initiative FTRC wishes to kick-start, Get Farnham Moving. The first event is likely to happen in the summer of 2026. The club are keen to put on an afternoon of taster sessions and advice involving local sports and fitness clubs with the aim to promote greater participation in physical activity in Farnham.

Dr Wernick is keen to explore with the sports council opportunities to encourage more people taking more exercise, more often. He spoke about his own and his family’s interest in sport and fitness and described some of the social prescriptions GP’s are starting to consider as an alternative, or as an add-on, to medicines.

At the moment, though there are formal arrangements for GP referrals with Farnham Leisure Centre, the main link with local sports clubs is through occasional signposting rather than anything formal. Dr Wernick agreed, on behalf of local surgeries, to continue his engagement with the sports council going forward.

There was also a discussion on how local sports clubs might contribute to the environmental sustainability agenda and the sports council has put forward a two-step proposal for clubs to consider.

Sports council chairman David Gill congratulated Farnham Rugby Club and Farnham Town Football Club on their 2024-25 seasons, with both clubs gaining promotion to the highest level in their respective histories – achievements which were celebrated with an open-top bus parade in Castle Street. Gill also congratulated Aldershot Town FC for winning the FA Trophy with a 3-0 victory against Spennymoor at Wembley.

Sue Keogh, the sports council secretary, gave an update on Farnham Sports Council’s new website – farnhamsportscouncil.org.uk