Chance to try something new as part of Older People’s Day

Herefordshire Council’s sports development team has teamed up with halo leisure, the British Red Cross and Visit Herefordshire, to provide a series of taster sessions and fun activities aimed at encouraging people to be more active.

The UK Older People’s Day is in its fifth year in October this year and to celebrate in Herefordshire there will be a tea dance, historical walk, sing-along sessions as well as a chance to try out a series of free taster sessions at halo leisure centres, including zumba, spinning, body pump, yoga and fitball.

There is also a chance to try a snorkelling session at Leominster leisure pool while Hereford leisure pool is offering free health MOTs.

Shirley Goodwin-Jones, Herefordshire Council’s specialist physical activity development officer, said: “These events are aimed to show people that whatever their age there is an activity suitable for them and by taking exercise they can vastly improve their health and well being.

“Many of the activities also include a chance to socialise as this is also very important for people’s mental health, especially if they are alone.

“National UK Older People’s Day is aimed at anyone over the age of 45 and this is why we have also, thanks to our leisure partner halo, been able to include some activities that will appeal to the more young at heart and active such as spinning, zumba and snorkelling, and offer them a chance to try something new,” she added.

Events start with a Singalong with Karen on Friday, September 30 at Cleveham Court, Colwall, with songs from the 1930s to 1960s with a chance to dance along as well as try out some percussion instruments. This event runs from 5pm to 7pm and the fee of £4.50 includes refreshments. The British Red Cross has organised this event and can also provide transport by calling 01432 373039.

Then there is a free guided historical walk of Hereford on Sunday, October 2 at 11am, meeting at the Discover Herefordshire Centre. This is being led by Liz Hill and provided by Visit Herefordshire.

There will also be a tea dance on the same day from 2pm to 4.30pm at All Seasons School of Dance which will include a mixture of ballroom, Latin and sequence dance together with a cream tea and live music. The dance costs £2 and transport can be arranged by contacting the British Red Cross on 01432 373020.

Free halo taster sessions are running throughout Saturday, October 1, and are:

Leominster Leisure Centre 0845 24 12 540

Aqua Zumba Class (11am-11.45am); Snorkelling Session (11.45am-12.15pm); Swimming Stroke Development/Non Swimming Coaching Session (12.15pm-12.45pm); tea/coffee and cake – an opportunity to discuss exercise with halo’s team of fitness instructors (1pm-1.30pm); Introduction to Spin (indoor cycling group exercise class, 1.30pm-2pm); Introduction to Body Pump Class (full body conditioning, weight bearing workout using bar bells – suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, 2.15pm-2.45pm).

Hereford Leisure Pool – 0845 24 12 562 – please call the Centre for details of timings or visit www.haloleisure.org.uk

Dance Mat Workouts (similar to the Wii exercises your children and grandchildren enjoy); free health MOTs (Fitness Mapping, Body Statistic Analysis, Blood Pressure Monitoring), Aqua Fit Group Exercise Class (30-minute class running throughout the day); Green Workout (Fitness Instructor led Power Walk around the meadows by the Leisure Pool)

Hereford Leisure Centre – 0845 24 10 978
Fitball (fun group exercise class using stability balls to focus on core strength and stability and all round conditioning, 9.45am-10.15am); Gentle Mobility Circuit (10.30am-11am); Yoga (11.30am to noon); Zumba Dance Workout (9am-9.30pm)

Ross Swimming Pool - 0845 24 12 570 - please call the Centre for details of timings or visit www.haloleisure.org.uk

Introduction to safe and fun Weight Lifting Workouts (suitable for all ages and abilities); Swimming session

Ledbury Swimming Pool   0845 24 12 579 - please call the Centre for details of timings or visit www.haloleisure.org.uk

Introduction to safe and fun Weight Lifting Workouts (suitable for all ages and abilities); Swimming Session

Bromyard Centre – 0845 24 10 980

10.00 am Strength Training for health

11.00 am Body Balance (a mix of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates)*

11.00 am Zumba (fun dance moves for fitness)

12.15 pm Circuits for tone and fitness

There will also be archery (11 – 12)*, Short Mat Bowls (11- 12) and the opportunity to play Badminton from 9.00am through to 1.00 pm. Personal trainers will be available from 9 – 1 to do health checks, give lifestyle advice and give you a taster of the gym.

For more information about any of the events log onto www.herefordshire.gov.uk and www.haloleisure.co.uk