EXERCISE MORE THAN YOUR MIND AT CAMBRIDGESHIRE LIBRARIES

People in and around Cambridge will soon have a chance to exercise more than their mind when they visit their local Library.

The new ‘Readercise Sessions’ are designed to provide a work out for the mind and body. They will be launched on July 7 and the first session is free!

The fun and sociable sessions are aimed at the over 50s age group and the exercises will include Pilates, T’ai Chi and chair based exercise – as well as exclusive access to the more usual Library facilities such as books, DVDs, computers, talking books and of course helpful staff.

The Readercise Sessions have been organised by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Library Service in partnership with the Forever Active Scheme, using funding from the Co-operative Community Fund.

Libraries at Cambridge’s Rock Road and Barnwell Road and at Cherry Hinton, will introduce sessions in the week starting July 7. Each exercise class will last 45 minutes, followed by a 30-minute interval when participants will be able to browse books, order items, access the Internet etc, and then finally another 45-minute exercise class.

The Library will be closed to the general public during the sessions so participants will get exclusive attention of the Librarians and access to the Library in perfect peace. Sessions will cost between £2.50 and £3.00 (concessions for Forever-active members) depending on the class and refreshments will be included.

County Council Library Service Outreach Co-ordinator, Maggie Brown, said: “These new Readercise Sessions are part of our commitment to providing services and support to all sections of the community and they build on the extensive range of more usual Library services – people will be surprised what they can find in their local Library!”

For more information contact Helen Johnston on (01223) 457535 or go to: www.forever-active.org.uk.

The timetable of sessions is:
Cherry Hinton Library – Wednesdays
11.00-11.45 am: Chair based exercise
11.45-12.15 pm: Refreshments and the opportunity to use the Library facilities
12.15-1.00 pm: Pilates

Rock Road Library – Wednesdays
2.00-2.45 pm: Chair based exercises
2.45-3.15 pm: Refreshments and the opportunity to use the Library facilities
3.15-4.00 pm: Pilates

Barnwell Library – Fridays
10.00-10.45 am: Chair based exercises
10.45-11.15 am: Refreshments and the opportunity to use the Library facilities
11.15-12.00 noon: T’ai Chi

Costs: Chair based sessions £2.50 (£2.00 for Forever Active members); Pilates and T’ai Chi sessions £3.00 (£2.50 for Forever Active members).

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For further information, contact: Maggie Brown 07824 406 103 or Glenn Thwaites in the Press and Public Relations Office on (01223) 699282.

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