Team Activities

Community days:
Beginning in 2006, the staff at thecitysecret have worked with Richmond District Council and the Richmond Swale Valley Initiative to help organisations with projects that may not have been completed without the help of additional volunteers.
We use these events as team-building exercises - ones that help the local community, rather than in an artificial setting. Everyone in the company is involved in some way.

In 2006 we transformed a mud footpath down a hill into a set of steps, and cleared an overgrown footpath that had become unusable. The council were so encouraged by the transformation of the area that other walkways have been created nearby.
In 2007, a woodland walk next to the river Swale was regenerated. Viewing areas were renewed, a pond cleared - and more steps built to connect the existing path with a nearby bridal way.
In 2008 the team spent some time mastering dry stone wall building. A local community group had a huge ongoing task to rebuild miles of dry stone walls. A team of around 30 employees were all given a lesson and then set to work dismantling and rebuilding sections of crumbled wall.
Unfortunately the community event was cancelled in 2009, but we hope to be able to work with some of the many local community groups and their volunteers again in the future.

Lunchtime clubs:
Employees at thecitysecret have a range of hobbies and interests outside work which has meant over the years diverse clubs and groups have been established. There are the more formal lunchtime presentations on technical and business areas and then there are the informal ad-hoc lunchtime walks along the river. There are also a group who enjoy trips to the cinema and of course those who enjoy meals out.

Past Activities:

C2C bike ride
The C2C bike ride from Workington to Sunderland was done as a three stage, long weekend event. One kind member of staff volunteered to transport the luggage and the cyclists just needed to carry food and water. The two nights were spent in B&B and Pub, and luckily both had good drying rooms as the weather was not too kind.
The ride was memorable for the wet weather but it didn't dampen the spirits.

Walking weekend
A two day walk from Hawes to Reeth with a stopover at Keld. The bus trip to Hawes was rapid as the bus flung itself along at top speed, the perfect antidote was the walk over to Keld. A good overnight stay at Keld and fuelled by a Full English, the walk down to Reeth was very pleasant.

Wensleydale triathalon
This was done as a relay team with one person doing each discipline. The swim was across Semmer water, the bike ride 42 miles criss-crossing the Dales and the run 6 miles up a hill and down. A hard event but the team managed a respectable 17th position overall.

Velodrome visit
The trip to the Manchester velodrome was an interesting one, the party was made up of both cyclists and non-cyclists. Getting used to a bike with no gears or brakes was a challenge for all and cycling around the banked ends was a mixture of exhilaration and fear!

Summer BBQs
When the weather has been favourable Martin and Zoe have held summer barbeques at their home near Richmond. Employees along with their families are able to catch-up in an informal setting whilst enjoying Martin's BBQ cooking.

We also run a table football competition.