PARWICH.ORG

In this week’s Ashbourne News Telegraph, there’s a feature on the work of “Parwich Fit 4 All”. Here’s a copy of their original press release.

Parwich Fit 4 All are celebrating a grant of £500 from the John Weston Fund, administered by Derbyshire Community Foundation, to help subsidise Pilates exercise classes in the village.

For many years there has been a self-funding adult Pilates class and the participants were keen to extend the benefits to the younger and older residents of the village. Parwich Fit 4 All was established last year to apply for funding to subsidise classes for 11-18 year olds and Over 60’s. 

Initial donations came from the Parwich and District Horticultural Society, Parwich United Charities and a grant from the Derbyshire Dales CVS Health Development Fund. The John Weston grant, together with a private donation, will enable the classes to run for the rest of the year. 

The teachers are both trained by the Pilates Foundation UK. Georgie Barnes, who teaches the teenagers, specialises in equine and sports specific Pilates. ‘ I really enjoy teaching the kids Pilates, helping them to obtain better propreception and core stability, relating to their specific sports’ Georgie says. 

Tricia Durdey, the Over 60’s teacher, runs classes in Ashbourne and Wirksworth and has considerable experience of teaching older people and running ‘Falls prevention’ classes. She says ‘I love working with my group of women. They are so enthusiastic and work very hard to improve strength, posture and fitness. I noticed a difference after only a month of working together. I know many of them feel the benefits too – from increased mobility, physical confidence and balance, to diminishing ‘bingo wings’!

 After their class, the Over 60’s enjoy a chat over tea and cake provided by Val Kirkham of Catering4Parwich.