Free Swimming For Pensioners.

jambutty · 08-06-2008, 15:15

Yet another crackpot government initiative that skirts round the real problem.

We pensioners don’t want free this and free that, but only for those who use the freebie. An adequate pension is what is needed so that we can pay our way as WE CHOOSE.

How many pensioners go swimming or will go if it is free? Towards the end of my working career I was a lifeguard/attendant at Shadsworth Leisure Centre and swimming pensioners were few and far between.

And who will pay for this free swimming? There will be government grants. Whose money will that be?

cashman · 08-06-2008, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

Yet another crackpot government initiative that skirts round the real problem.

We pensioners don’t want free this and free that, but only for those who use the freebie. An adequate pension is what is needed so that we can pay our way as WE CHOOSE.

How many pensioners go swimming or will go if it is free? Towards the end of my working career I was a lifeguard/attendant at Shadsworth Leisure Centre and swimming pensioners were few and far between.

And who will pay for this free swimming? There will be government grants. Whose money will that be?

thats the general idea jim, it won't cost owt.

shillelagh · 08-06-2008, 15:25

Hate to say this jambutty but at the swimming pools in rossendale there are a lot of pensioners that go swimming. They do the aquarobics (aerobics in the pool) because they want to keep fit and there is a pensioner club at the pools as well. There is a passport to leisure scheme in rossendale which is £1.60 i think it is for a class/swim

cashman · 08-06-2008, 15:29

paris also goes swimming once or twice a week at hyndburn sports centre, n if theres any pensioners there when she goes, they must have weathered well.

rossendale is probably dingles goin fer a wash jen.

jambutty · 08-06-2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Hate to say this jambutty but at the swimming pools in rossendale there are a lot of pensioners that go swimming. They do the aquarobics (aerobics in the pool) because they want to keep fit and there is a pensioner club at the pools as well. There is a passport to leisure scheme in rossendale which is £1.60 i think it is for a class/swim

I wonder? If there weren’t a pensioners club at the pool would there be the same interest and attendance?

What’s a lot of pensioners? 30, 50, even 100? How many pensioners in Rossendale? Thousands, I’ll be bound.

I doubt if 1% of pensioners will even think about going swimming in their twilight years let alone actually doing so.

This latest government initiative is nothing more than yet another con so that it can brag about what it is doing for pensioners.

flashy · 08-06-2008, 16:16

i know a lot of older ladies who go swimming, everytime i go to Hyndburn sportsy it is always packed out with them in the mornings, i think this is a great idea

pipinfort · 08-06-2008, 16:37

As long as the pensioners are`nt incontinent then i think its great.....

shillelagh · 08-06-2008, 16:39

There was only a pensioners club because so many were going.

Tin Monkey · 08-06-2008, 17:08

My late Father went swimming every week once he retired at 65 and he wasn't on his own. Swimming is good exercise and can be therapeutic for rheumatism and other such afflictions.

I think it's a great idea and I don't mind my tax pennies going towards such a scheme. This thread looks like just another excuse for a whinge.

Margaret Pilkington · 08-06-2008, 17:09

I used to swim twice a week at Harwood, but the price got silly...so I stopped going.
I do agree that rather than free stuff that we might not make use of we should have a pension which allows us to pay our way...especially as when you hand over you proof of age, people look at you like you should not be getting anything for nowt....like you are 'sponging'......Yes, I would prefer to pay my own way.

katex · 08-06-2008, 17:28

It is also being offered to children under 16 too Jambutty.

The main aim is to try and get these categories fitter and therefore save on health bills, 'tis well-known that swimming is extremely beneficial to all types of conditions.

I, myself, go swimming three times per week . o.k. am in a private gym, and a younger type pensioner ...

I don't know how long I will be able to sustain this membership moneywise, so will be grateful of the freebie. There are always lots of people there older than me who struggle to walk, have had strokes, broken bones, arthritis. They find it difficult to walk alongside the pools, but when they get in the water, their movement is much improved, and obviously of great enjoyment to them.

It is proposed that swimming will be free for all by 2012.

polly · 08-06-2008, 18:47

When I go swimming (usually lunchtimes) it is mainly elderly people and some of them cant half swim!!

As for free swimming for OAP's isn't that discrimination by age?

I think it should either be free for everyone or we all pay

panther · 08-06-2008, 19:37

Well at least i have something to look forward too if i reach 60!!

as well as free bus, ill get free swimming lessons

, wonder what else will be free by the time i reach it?...EMMMM

emamum · 08-06-2008, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by polly

When I go swimming (usually lunchtimes) it is mainly elderly people and some of them cant half swim!!

As for free swimming for OAP's isn't that discrimination by age?

I think it should either be free for everyone or we all pay

what a pile of tosh!
do you think that everyone should get discounts on public transport as well?
they have to pay rent and council tax, they pay tax twice on their pensions.. let them have a few perks! there are age related illnesses that can be made a little easier by swimming and it would also give some oaps a little relief from pain whilst they are swimming. i think its a great idea.

personally i think they should be given food vouchers as well so they can have a good diet because some cant afford that.

BERNADETTE · 08-06-2008, 19:42

Whilst the principle is a good one why not just give the pensioners a decent pension to spend as they wish? They have worked hard and deserve it IMHO