Movement to Music for the Over Sixties and Less Able People

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© EXTEND 2004

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Maggie Pickard, Extend Manager and Trainer writes in Carer's Insight, the newsletter for local carers Birmingham East and North NHS Primary Care Trust issue No.23 August 2007.To read this issue and what Maggie writes Click Here

SKtoday Latest news from South Kesteven District Council - Click here to read about EXTEND

EXTEND 30th Anniversary

Seona Ross, the UK's Oldest Fitness Instructor

Seona Ross, Meet Britain's Oldest Fitness Instructor

Seona Ross, The Keep-Fit Fanatic

Gwen Batham Young at Heart

Rhona Gordon in Edinburgh

Bisham Abbey went with a real bang this year, Saturday night was a playshop with Steve Bulls Drumnasium, we played drums, shook shakers and hit or scrapped wooden instruments …we have all been inspired to look at our home made instruments in a new light!

We were very fortunate in that we had managed to arrange an inspirational line up of speakers…for a change we had a serious lecture on Friday evening, Professor Len Almond from the British Heart Foundation talked to us about the importance of 30 minutes exercise per day…by Saturday mid morning most of the delegates wanted 30 minutes rest!.

On Saturday Jean Blott woke everyone up with her early morning class, and after a hearty breakfast Rhona Gordon (all the way from Fife and in her traditional red) gave our trunks a good work out while upstairs our questions concerning CRB were answered by Colin Plummer (Vice chairman of the Movement and Dance Division, Child Protection officer of UK Alliance/Guild of Professional Teachers of Dancing as well as being a Health and Safety Assessor).

PHAB dancing (where a disabled person dances with an able bodied person

The Concord Wheelchair Dancers led by Julia Hall

Teachers working their trunks

Saturday afternoon we were entertained and educated by the Concord Wheelchair Dancers, our EXTEND teachers were invited to join the dance, and they found it very hard work, being disabled does not mean you are unfit, and Anita and Seona taught a little demonstration piece to ‘take away'.

After a loud and rhythmical Saturday evening, Sunday morning started with Elaine Askins early bird class. Tracy Levy gave an open class, which was definitely active despite the fact that it was 90% seated while upstairs there was a lecture from Kith and Kids, an organisation that helps families with autism and Aspergers syndrome.

EXTEND teachers wheel chair dancing

After a busy morning we dressed in our finery and sat down to our luncheon. We were delighted to welcome Olive Newson, Peter Jones (with his daughter Agnes), Ian Brown, Ruth and Jill from Head Office as our guests as well as many special teachers who had made the journey to be with us. After lunch Janice Moore, the chair of the Movement and Dance Division congratulated EXTEND on its achievements and Ann Thomson presented some very special teachers badges to our long standing teachers.

Anne Thomson, Seona Ross and Janice Moore (Chair of the Movement and Dance division CCPR)cut tge cake with Ron and Judy keeping a close eye!

Our Scottish Teachers, Ann, Rhona, Amanda, Pamela and Rose

Our golden badge girls: Doris Mahood, Freda Lewis, Seona Ross, Judy Holpin, Ann Cheesman, Pauline Holden, Jean Birkbeck, Maggie Lipscombe, Elvie Pickering

The traditional photo call followed by the river and the teachers gave a small demonstration to our invited guests.

It was a very special Bisham but it is the comradeship, sense of fun for life and laughter that makes it the Bisham weekend what it is.

Anita and I thank you for your support

Tracy Levy

Young at heart

Think it's too late to start exercising? Meet Gwen Batham - an aerobics and fitness teacher who is, in her own words, 'well over 65!'

Former maths teacher Gwen learned to be an aerobics instructor in 1999 on a programme funded by Harrow Council and the Primary Care Trust.

She now leads 'Extend' classes for Age Concern Harrow as well as other classes in day centres.

"Extend' is aerobics for older people," she says. "For example, each hour of class includes at least 15 minutes exercising sitting down, and it targets elderly aches and pains.  Exercise is essential when you are older.  it improves and maintains strength, stamina, mobility and posture and even benefits some medical conditions such as osteoporosis.  It helps with balance and coordination, breathing, circulation and appetite and gives a better quality of life.

There are also important social aspects.  It's a chance to get out of the house and make new firends.  Plus exercise makes you happier, as it releases endorphins in the brain.

So don't put it off any longer. Just pick your chosen exercise, wear loose comfortable clothes, supportive shoes with a soft sole and work within your own limits."

Extract from 'Harrow People' the official magazine for Harrow Council Jan 2006. Photography by Dermot Carlin

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk

 

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