Page 103 - Active Retirement Ireland 2015_
P. 103
It wasn’t just all about the exercise. Barbara was her mother began, to the grateful appreciation of
a brilliant organiser and arranged trips away to
Killarney, Westport and Chester, England to name a the members. The Keep Fit exercises vary from
few. These trips were terrific fun and cemented the
wonderful friendships that had grown over the years. stretching, lengthening and floor exercises to entire
At its peak, there were around 50 members and after
48 years, there are still over 30 members, with an dance routines and it is not unusual to see scarves
average age of 75; the eldest member being 88 and
an original, having been there for 47 years! and hats flying past the windows! Gillian’s exciting
It was largely due to Barbara that the class became routines are perfect for this generation as they
so popular and unique and has continued throughout
the years. Sadly, Barbara died in 2011 and is greatly challenge both body and brain, with new rhythms
missed by all, but her daughter Gillian Lesware
took up the baton and continues to teach the class and routines regularly introduced. The members
take their exercise very seriously, yet the class is full
of fun and laughter. These fabulous women have
a higher level of fitness and flexibility than the
average teenager and are a testament to the good
health a lifetime of exercise will bring. Long may
they continue! t he best reci pe f or healt hy l iving!
This has to be
Active Retirement Ireland 101
a brilliant organiser and arranged trips away to
Killarney, Westport and Chester, England to name a the members. The Keep Fit exercises vary from
few. These trips were terrific fun and cemented the
wonderful friendships that had grown over the years. stretching, lengthening and floor exercises to entire
At its peak, there were around 50 members and after
48 years, there are still over 30 members, with an dance routines and it is not unusual to see scarves
average age of 75; the eldest member being 88 and
an original, having been there for 47 years! and hats flying past the windows! Gillian’s exciting
It was largely due to Barbara that the class became routines are perfect for this generation as they
so popular and unique and has continued throughout
the years. Sadly, Barbara died in 2011 and is greatly challenge both body and brain, with new rhythms
missed by all, but her daughter Gillian Lesware
took up the baton and continues to teach the class and routines regularly introduced. The members
take their exercise very seriously, yet the class is full
of fun and laughter. These fabulous women have
a higher level of fitness and flexibility than the
average teenager and are a testament to the good
health a lifetime of exercise will bring. Long may
they continue! t he best reci pe f or healt hy l iving!
This has to be
Active Retirement Ireland 101
