Stoke boosted by funding for a brand new exercise class

VILLAGERS in Stoke-sub-Hamdon have received a boost with a brand new Healthy Hearts exercise class being launched.  
 
The class has been made possible following funding from Somerset County Council alongside support from South Somerset District Council.
 
Cllr John Bailey, from Somerset County Council, said “We are supporting health and wellbeing projects in Somerset and have encouraged parish councils to bid for funding to support projects in their local community.

"One such community was the village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon who were looking to set up a new exercise class in the village hall.”
 
“I am pleased that this funding from the Health and Wellbeing scheme will allow the Healthy Hearts sessions to encourage active and healthy living in Stoke and the surrounding areas. I look forward to them becoming a regular part of Stoke weekly events.''
 
The Healthy Hearts classes take place on Thursdays between 10am and 11am and offer a 60 minute session of low impact aerobic exercise aimed at keeping your heart healthy. Classes are suitable for absolutely anyone looking to improve or look after the health of their heart.
 
Charlie Coward, healthy lifestyles officer at South Somerset District Council, worked closely with community volunteer Rosemary Thomas to identify what was needed in the community and supported them with specialist advice to help set up the class.

Charlie said: “We are keen to support local communities to set up new activities for their residents.

"There is a huge amount of value in locally based activity, not only through providing people with an opportunity to be more active but in supporting the use of local public facilities and making exercise more accessible in rural communities where transport can be an issue.”
 
Healthy Hearts will be led by instructor Penny Jolley. Penny has a vast amount of experience in fitness instructing and is a specialist in the field of exercise and heart health having run her own heart care exercise groups for over 20 years. 

PHOTO: Pictured from left are community volunteer Rosemary Thomas, Stoke-sub-Hamdon Parish Council chairman Mike Sampson, instructor Penny Jolley, healthy lifestyles officer Charlie Coward of South Somerset District Council, and Cllr John Bailey of Somerset County Council.

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