After more than 50 years, the final whistle has sounded for the Flowery Field Keep Fit group.

About 20 young-at-heart regulars were still faithfully turning up every Monday afternoon for the gentle exercise to music session at Rosemount Trinity Methodist Church in Hyde.

But with their ages ranging from late 60s to 90-plus and ‘none of us getting any younger’ they reluctantly agreed the time had come to close the group.

Group leader Barbara Barton joined in 1981 when the well established ladies’ keep fit class met at Flowery Field Sunday School.

“It was in an upstairs room which was difficult for some, so we moved to Rosemount and a few more joined as a result,” explained Barbara.

“The organiser of many years was Dorothy Caveney who would bring a record player and cases of vinyl records from home every week.

“She had a whistle to call the class to order and we all had to wear leotards and tights.”

Eventually Barbara took over the organising and successfully applied for a grant to buy a CD player.

“We had all the music transferred to five or six CDs which made it a lot easier.”

The funding also provided exercise mats and T-shirts.

Barbara said she was sad to see the group close: “Lots of friendships have been made and I’m sure we will still keep in touch with each other.”

As a special treat the final meeting was a purely social afternoon with buffet refreshments arranged by Barbara.

“We always paid subs to cover the cost of the room hire, but for the last week, we decided we would all bring something for the food bank which the church supports.”

Mildred Hough, at 91, the oldest member and a lifelong Reporter reader, said she had always enjoyed the keep fit although recently had opted for exercises which could be done ‘sitting down.’

Mildred, who now lives in Denton, admitted she would miss the group where she made some good friends: “We always like to ring each other for a chat and we’ll still do that.”

Newton resident Doreen Menzies, 88, had attended for the longest time - since 1970,
‘a couple of years’ after the class first started.

“It was quite strict then. We used to go round to community centres and church halls like Stockport Road Methodist, doing demonstrations of keep fit. I like the company, they’ve always been a good crowd.”

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