January 2018 Newsletter

A Very windy walk along Saltden sea front on 10th December 2017

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I hope you have all managed to stay germ free and fit over the winter months, there has been so much going around this year. We have had some cold but bright days, so hopefully you have managed to wrap up and enjoyed the wonderful outdoors. It has been a very busy 2017 with lots going on, I cannot believe we are near the end of January , must admit I am looking forward to the Spring!

Horsham walking group

Many people ask me what I do to relax when I am not working on the weekend, I have been a member of the Horsham walking group now for at least 2 years.  We meet up on a Sunday at 10.45am outside a pub (usually chosen for its good roasts) and walk for 2 hours doing anything from 5 - 6 miles depending on the route taken. We are back just in time for a drink and meal as our reward, eating is very informal so you can just stay for a drink if you want. I find it a great way to get fit, fill my lungs with fresh air and to clear my head. I have made some lovely friends over the 2 years, it is very social. If you would like to find out more about the walking group please contact me, or e-mail Dave on [email protected]


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Enjoying the views from the top of the South Downs looking over Storrington and Washington in the Summer.


Later Life fall prevention training

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In May I attended a Specialist postural stability instructor course that was run by Later Life, the course focuses on maintaining good posture and strength to reduce the risk of falling aimed at the older person. After a lot of studying, case studies and exams I qualified in August, ready to start teaching my first course in September in partnership with Horsham District Well Being team. We had some amazing results, changing the life's of ladies and gents who were 78 - 92 year olds. They felt more confident to go outside by themselves and join other fitness activities giving them new freedom to live their life being independent.  I was proud of every single one of them, now in January I have started with a fresh group and look forward to helping them on their journey.  If you know someone that could benefit from this course, I would highly recommend that you get in contact with the Well being team at Horsham District council.  The course is free and are running in Horsham and surrounding villages, if you would like more information  get in touch with me or find more information on  westsussexwellbeing.org.uk 

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St Catherine's Midnight walk

On the 18th June my partner Alan and myself took part in the St Catherine's midnight walk in Horsham, it was the 10th year of the walk and some big changes were made.  For the first time men and children aged 11years and up where allowed to take part, it was attended by many families and couples........ a lovely atmosphere.  We also had a completely new route, 7 miles taking us around different parts of Horsham and surrounding areas. I met some of my clients from courses I had ran last year, they thanked me for changing their lives and getting them to be more active......always a pleasure, just love seeing people changing their life's for the better. Alan and myself raised £160.00 for this very worthy cause, thank you to everyone that support us it was very much appreciated. stch.orh.uk

St Barnabas Midnight Walk

On 24th June I set up and ran a stretch station in Worthing leisure centre to help all the ladies that had walked either 7, 14 or 21 miles to raise funds for St Barnabas Hospice.  I had volunteered the previous year for this event, as I gave medals to the ladies coming over the finish line I could not help but see the pain some of these ladies faces and legs..... so I promised I would get a stretch station set up for next year. My partner Alan volunteered his services as a marshall, he did an amazing job of cheering the ladies on and giving them the support they needed to get to the finish line. We ended up meeting at the end for breakfast at 4.30am having been awake since 8am the previous morning, but it was all worth while seeing those ladies coming over the finish line... a lot of smiles and tears remembering loved ones.
stbarnabas-hospice.org.uk





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Horsham aqua summer luncheon 

​In July my lovely Horsham aqua ladies, gent and myself had our summer luncheon at the Anchor Pub in Horsham, all 30 of us!  Lucky there was a room upstairs to contain us:-) It was a great opportunity for myself to get to chat with the ladies, but also for everyone to chat with each other as it is alway difficult to talk with a wet swimming costume on. Thank you to Lesley and Ann for arranging, they do a great job of being my unofficial PA

Wisdom Hospice Coffee morning and raffle

In May my Mother in Law Alice lost her battle with cancer, she was cared for at home with the help of Wisdom Hospice based in Rochester, Kent.  It seemed very fitting to raise funds for the hospice on what would have been her 82nd Birthday, so I arranged a coffee morning and raffle after my aqua class at Steyning Leisure Centre on the Friday. Everyone in all my classes I run during the week were so generous, we raised an amazing £315.00 (with Gift Aid).  I thought that no one would know about this hospice as it was in Kent, but one of my Horsham aqua ladies told me that her father was at the same hospice...... the world is a very small place.  Thank you to everyone that bought raffle tickets, cake, coffee and donated items for the raffle it was very much appreciated by the family and myself. fowh.org.uk

Worthing Churches Homeless project

In December I arranged a coffee morning raising funds for the Homeless project organised by Worthing Churches, this time of year we are all busy buying things for our loved ones that we forget about those who have nothing.  So I decided to incorporate our end of year gathering after aqua at Steyning leisure centre with a coffee morning to raise funds for this very worthy cause.  I was given a wish list from the Worthing Churches, my very generous ladies and gents from my classes managed to fill two IKEA bags with clothes, toiletries, food, torches, batteries and much more.  As well as enjoying some very yummy cake we raised £115.00, thank you to everyone that took part and donated. wchp.org.uk




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Horsham aqua Winter luncheon

My Horsham aqua ladies do like to socialise with each other when not splashing around in the water, for our winter luncheon there were less of us this year as everyone was busy with family or preparing for the holiday season.  We still had a large table, so we could catch up on everyones news.  The ladies had clubbed together and gave me some Marks and Spencer vouchers to say thank you for teaching them though out the year, you are all very kind and it was appreciated.....and I promise I won't be leaving you!  Thank you once again Lesley and Ann for arranging this social, I know it is not easy to get everyone organised.

New Year, New fitter you

Now into January everyone is wanting to get more active, fitter and eating better.  Sometimes it is difficult to get out and exercise either in a class, gym or pool.  I have a large selection of exercise DVDs that you are welcome to borrow, they range from Pilates to Salsa dancing.  If you would like to borrow one please speak me either in a class or contact me via e-mail, text or call me and I will get it to you.

So what will the rest of the year bring? I will be keeping my brain active with research and training in many health issues, passing on my knowledge to help my clients stay active and live independently as long as possible.  I will be running a Coffee Morning and Raffle raising funds for St Barnabas Hospice in the Spring in memory of Pete Grace, an amazing gent that I had the privilege of working with keeping him mobile as long as possible.

If you need advice or help in keeping active and staying fit, remember I am only a phone call or e-mail away.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you Good Health and a Happy Active Life,


Best Wishes



​Lorraine xx

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