Do you think that free swimming for the over 60s is a good policy or just a spin exercise?
by Rob Chrin on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 | 14 Comments
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7439182.stm
You know every time Gordon Brown opens his mouth of late and gives us one of his pearls of wisdom, I ask myself what is he covering up.
Anyway views on the joyful news ta.
I think it’s just been used to distract.
Swimming is but one exercise. I like to play badminton. I’m not over keen on swimming, I get bored with it. I like to go the gym. Or go hiking with a group. Are those going to be free?
Even politicians sometimes adopt someone Else’s good idea.
Swimming is excellent exercise for all ages and certainly one of the best for a mature population. Allowing people over 60 to swim for free is an excellent move as it lead to increased health and mobility for those who take advantage, less burden for NHS, and those who are working will probably stay at work longer. Enhanced quality of life and less drain on countrys misused resources.
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That free Swimming for Seniors- sounds like a Plan to Me! (& Brown just opens His mouth once in a while- to remind Us He’s still "there". Otherwise- that’s the ONLY indication ANYONE’s running the Country!
).
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I agree it is a feel good spin but I won’t look a gift horse etc.I feel just a little bit sorry for GB, although he has been the architect for his own woes by all the hidden taxes introduced when he was in no11.and so called NL has been running the show for 11years so can’t keep blaming the last admin for all the wrongs anyway NL came to power when the economy was on the rise. GB was responsible for scuppering private pensions, selling off the countrys gold reserves when gold was low etc etc. so I didn’t thick he was all that good at his last job. So for me not so much GB dipping his toe in the water as clutching at straws. Time for a change I think!
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Anything free in this day and age has got to be good hasn’t it?
I don’t care what the reason is.
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I think it’s a great policy, I’m 66 and at home in Wales I could swim for free.
Granted the times were specified but that wasn’t a problem, I’ve now moved to Luton where I have to pay.
I like to keep active and the only time I’ve been in hospital was in 1965 when I broke my leg, so I think with our continuing ageing population it would be cost effective.
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Perfect
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I think it is a spin exercise, but I’m not proud so
I will take it along with my bus pass and anything else thats going free!!!
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Yes it’s a good policy, but it should be free for all. Pensioners are benefitting from lots of things now, and yet it seems as if many of them are among the wealthiest in society. Most have mortgages paid off, no childcare expenses, don’t need to pay out so much for fuel to get to work every day. Certainly all the retired people I know are far better off than younger people. I know that’s not the case for all, but I’m sure you see my point – there is no distinction between those that have and those that have not.
At my local sports centre there are lots of different sports classes for over 60s, but nothing for younger adults at all. Not even an aerobics class. It seems like the over 60s are a good political move: the grey vote is huge. However, with the obesity problem growing in the UK I think that they need to be doing more for under 60s too.
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It sounds like a good plan. Swimming is very healthy for the body and will keep seniors in good shape. it will also do wonders for their mobility.
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It is certainly a good idea but from what I hear, there are not a great many municipal pools left in the country so it will only benefit a limited number of over 60’s. I agree with some other postings that free swimming should be available for more than just the over 60’s but the indications are that this will come sometime in the future.
To answer the last part of your question, yes I think it is a PR exercise.
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We have two pools where I live (adult and child) and my doctor wants me paddling around for 1 to 1 and1/2 hours each night. I need to check it out and make sure it’s warm enough. Good for you no matter where you are, i guess.
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Anything that comes out of GB’s mouth has to be a stunt….it was probably him in his days as Chancellor that got rid of free swimming for the over 60’s anyway!
I remember our local pool always had concessions for children under a certain age, disabled people & pensioners.
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Yes I think its a spin exercise, but swimming it supposed to be good exercise. I cannot swim but I just might start to learn if its free for us oldies. Other then that perhaps GB is hoping that some of oldies will drown and its less of a drain on society. I take what all MPs etc say with a pinch of salt. You vote out Chipperfield circus and vote in Bertram Mills circus, but its still the same old rubbish they dish up.
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I think it’s just been used to distract.
Swimming is but one exercise. I like to play badminton. I’m not over keen on swimming, I get bored with it. I like to go the gym. Or go hiking with a group. Are those going to be free?
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