JARROW, Tyne & Wear, England / Jarrow And Hebburn Gazette / Community / Nov 25, 2011
Activities ... launch of the Older Peoples Festival at Temple Park.SOUTH Tyneside’s Older People’s Festival has been hailed a success after attracting 5,000 more folk than last year.
More than 14,000 people took part in a month-long programme of activities for the over-50s.
The festival launch, at the Temple Park Centre on October 3, attracted 520 people and featured a range of information stands and taster sessions for activities like Zumba.
The most popular event was the senior sports festival, attended by 120 people.
John Briers, chief executive of Age UK South Tyneside, which organised the festival, said: “The festival has once again proved to be a huge success.
“More and more over-50s are taking part in the excellent activities that are available.
“South Tyneside’s Older People’s Festival is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible quality of life that older people can enjoy, and the excellent support that is available from Age UK South Tyneside and partner-organisations on their doorstep.”
Janice Morrison, 63, from Jarrow, attended a number of events throughout October.
She said: “I think the Older People’s Festival is a genuinely brilliant month of events.
“It’s really difficult to pull off organising activities for older people, but this sort of thing just proves that it is possible – and really important.”
Jack Pearce, 70, a retired painter and decorator from Hebburn, enjoyed last year’s event and returned for a second helping.
He said: “I’ve had a really good laugh, it’s a great idea.
“We’re veterans from last year and have had a great day. The activities were much more fun and energetic than normal activities for the elderly.”
Pat Berry, 83, attended both the line dancing and Zumba at the senior sports festival.
She said: “I really enjoyed it. It’s a great way to make new friends and get some exercise too.”
angela.reed@northeast-press.co.uk
© 2011 Johnston Publishing Ltd.
____________________________________________________________
Credit: Reports and photographs are property of owners of intellectual rights.
Seniors World Chronicle, a not-for-profit, serves to chronicle and widen their reach.
