Get-up-and-go Florence is an inspiration

For Florence didn't work up a sporting sweat until she was well in to her sixties -- but now she is making up for lost time.

The Darwener may be an octogenarian but she is 87-years-young and not 87-years-old.

Her busy sporting schedule includes swimming, exercise, Tai Chai, walking and dancing. And that doesn't include the whist drives and voluntary work for Help the

Aged.

Such is her love of life she has be dubbed the Elderly Ambassador -- but really she puts people half her age to shame.

And it was that get-up-a-go that earned her a special sporting award at the recent Blackburn Sports Council Awards.

"That was a real surprise. I didn't expect to get an award for something I love to do. It was very special and the trophy now sits proudly on my mantle piece."

Florence was never one for sport as a youngsters -- bringing up her three children and work provided all the exercise she needed.

In fact, it wasn't until well in to her 65th year that she actually learnt to swim. But since then, she has taken to sport like the proverbial duck to water.

It was more than a decade ago that Florence joined Blackburn with Darwen Council's Over Fifties activities class. While it was slow going at first, Florence went on to try everything and anything.

From caving to snooker and archery to orienteering, she gave it her best shot.

"I've never really been one to want to sit around and do nothing," said Florence who used to run a grocers then florist with her late husband before going on to work in the mills.

"I don't go with the notion that you can't do things because you've got this or you've got that. The reason some people are suffering is because they are sitting around not doing anything."

It was on a residential course on the outskirts of Nelson that Florence's willingness to try out different sports came to light.

Joyce Tattersall, the council's sports development officer, headed that course and knows Florence better than most having helped her along the way in the past 10 years.

"When she first started she was a little weak so we took it slowly. But in time, Florence became very confident in herself and was always willing to have a go at anything."

And that is why, more than 10 years later, Joyce decided to nominate her for the award.

"Florence has a great philosophy on life which could teach us all a thing or two.

"She had a great appetite and sometimes it is hard to imagine she is well in to her eighties because she certainly doesn't act like someone who is."

Joyce said her star pupil is a joy to be around and inspires others who join her classes.

"Florence believes you are as old as you feel and she has a real energy about her. Her get-up-and-go is a real inspiration to others and she is an ambassador to other people her age."

And woe betide anyone who says that are to old to do this or that.

"Florence doesn't like to hear that kind of talk," added Joyce who works with her eldest student in the mobility exercises in the pool. "She believes that you are born every day you wake up. It is a great way to look at life."

Florence's eagerness to mix and meet other people means she is out and about doing something nearly every day of the week.

On Tuesdays she plays whist and then goes swimming and dancing on Wednesdays. Thursday she works at Age Concern and attends Tai Chai classes in the afternoon.

Friday, and its swimming and her mobility exercise class while she always likes to get a brisk walk in over the weekend.

Monday is her day off!

"I have to keep myself busy don't I! Sport and such activities are a great way to meet people and socialise. Of course I have my family and friends but it is a lovely way to enjoy yourself."

Florence would be forgiven is she wanted to take time out and catch up on daytime TV. But far from it.

She is always looking at other sports to take up her time -- and is even considering tennis! There is a saying that you are as old as you feel.

Well Florence just seems to be getting younger by the day!