Community Focus: Last Friday Club

The Last Friday Club is a FREE business networking meetup on the last Friday of each month, based at a variety of independent venues within Chichester.

Started in 2016 by Debbie Ford, owner of The Chichester Social, and Emily Perry, a local HR Consultant and founder of South Coast HR, there are now over 300 members of the Last Friday Club.

WHO IS IT AIMED AT?

Chichester-based:

●     Freelancers: professional or personal services, including digital, creatives, writers, tech etc.

●     Independent business owners or solo entrepreneurs: retailers and pop-up shops from Chichester and the surrounding areas, or individuals running their businesses from home (including CRJ Lettings!)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Last Friday Club is a little more informal than many other business networking clubs. It is Debbie and Emily’s aim that their members come away from each meetup with a renewed vigour and purpose for their business, having benefitted from the experience and the different perspective of other members.

There are typically over 40 attendees at each meeting, so you’ll be sure to fit in and find someone, or something, of interest. As well as informal networking (and coffee and pastries!) there is typically a speaker too, sharing their business experiences and knowledge.

This has led to many collaborations between members in the past three years. With an eclectic mix of people, you never know where your next opportunity could come from.

So, if you’re a freelancer or business owner in Chichester and would like to meet others who face the same challenges as you, come along to one of the free meetings on the last Friday of each month.

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NEXT MEETUP

Friday 31st May at Woodies - registration is essential, email for details

hello@thechichestersocial.com

Facebook: @LastFridayClubChi

Instagram: @LastFridayClubChi

Twitter: LastFridayChi

Community Focus: Chichester Falcons Softball Club

The Chichester Falcons Softball Club was formed in 2011 and has evolved into offering softball and baseball to a wide range of ages and ability groups, whilst maintaining its philosophy of having an informal and enjoyable approach to the game.

The younger players (7-11 year olds) now play baseball, which is a fast-paced sport descending from rounders, where players hit the ball and run around a diamond of bases, whilst the opposing team tries to catch or throw them out. The junior squad (11-16 year olds) progress to playing fast-pitch softball, which uses a larger ball than in baseball, making it easier to hit. Finally, the adults play slow-pitch softball, so the ball is pitched underarm, slowing the game down for the older legs, whilst allowing everyone to hit the ball hard!

All formats are played in a co-ed format, so that boys and girls play together on an even field. Whilst light-hearted in nature there is an outlet to get ultra-competitive, as a previous junior player demonstrated; now being part of the GB squad (baseball and softball will both feature in the 2020 Olympics for the first time).

It’s a great sport that is accessible to everyone and, as a club, the Falcons are passionate about getting more people from the community involved. There are no membership fees to be a part of the Falcons - sessions are on a ‘pay as you play’ basis, normally costing £3-£4, to cover equipment and field hire.

The Falcons have an ‘always recruiting’ policy, so there’s a session available for boys and girls of all ages. It’s open to complete beginners, with all the equipment provided and qualified coaches on hand to guide you through the sessions.


JOIN IN:
Slow-pitch softball (16yrs+) - Starts in April on Wednesday evenings
Fast-pitch softball (11-16) - Starts in May on Thursday evenings
Baseball (7-11) - Starts in June on Sunday mornings


You can read more about the club at www.chichesterfalcons.com.
Tel         07890 192 409
Email         chichesterfalcons@gmail.com
Facebook  @Chichester-Falcons-Softball-Club
Twitter         @FalconsChi