Twins stay doubly fit at Holm View centre - 30/11/06
A drive to attract more people to support a special fitness
class in Barry is being led by two octogenarians.
Twins Bill and John Haley, who are 80, have been attending the
weekly "Nice and Easy" class at the Holm View Leisure Centre for
about four years and would especially "welcome some more men to
keep us company!"
Led by Carys Ogden every Tuesday (12.30-1.30pm), the class has,
according to Carys, been designed to be "low impact and manageable
for any age or ability."
Easy to follow routines include the use of lightweights, and
Carys stresses: "I am keen to ensure that participants work to
their own limits, and pace themselves accordingly."
Emphasising the "friendly social atmosphere" – the group usually
have a little celebration for a group member's birthday – and
encouraging new faces, John says: "The hardest thing is building up
the courage to walk through the door for the first time. Once you
do, Carys and the group will put you at ease instantly.”
Bill adds: “The centre is very conveniently located, and the
class provides an hour of fun and is tremendous value at just £1 a
time.”
The Cadoxton-born twins are active members of the Vale community
and family men; John has two children and two grandchildren, and
Bill has two children and five grandchildren. Before retirement,
John was a Gas Board technician and Bill worked for the Vale of
Glamorgan Council and predecessor authorities as a decorator for
nearly 40 years.
Both tenors, they were founder members of the South Wales Male
Voice Choir nearly 35 ago. The choir has enjoyed international
success and, at one stage, membership was 500-strong. Together,
they have performed in the Vale’s German twin town of Rheinfelden
and have taken the stage in Norway, America, Holland and France.
They also belong to Barry Male Voice Choir who perform locally and
internationally and entertain patients at The Barry Hospital every
Christmas.
Dan Godfrey, who supervises the team at the Holm View, is
delighted Bill and John are encouraging others to attend. He says:
“The twins are certainly leading by example and are committed to
undertaking regular gentle physical activity. We would really
welcome others to join the ‘Nice and Easy’ class that offers
excellent value.”
"Nice and Easy" is held every Tuesday (12.30-1.30pm) at Holm
View Leisure and costs £1 per person. To contact Holm View,
telephone (01446) 700258 or email Dan Godfrey at
DBGodfrey@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
The Vale Council also runs an ‘Active for Life’ scheme; to find
out more, telephone (01446) 725959.