24 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, December 27th, 2007 4 (.V __ aliev Valley Feature on an actress's celebrity fund-raiser for the NSPCC


Not Strictly dancing for cha-cha-cha-ritv A


CLITHEROE dance duo won a charity dance contest organised by Ribble Valley-based actress


Kathy McArdle. Physiotherapist Denise Park and


sports masseur Andy Robinson, who work together at Denise's practice in Peel Street, were declared the winners at the event, held at the Dunken halgh Hotel, Clayton-le- Moors. A delighted Denise


commented: "Andy and I hadn't danced prior to being asked to take part in the com­ petition, and just like the TV pro­ gramme, we spent hours trying to get our steps perfect, practising at 7 a.m. every morning for two weeks before the competition." After all that effort, Denise realised


their success could be used to benefit a worthy cause. "As Andy and I had done all the hard


work practising we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to perform our winning dances again and also to raise money for Derian House Children's Hospice in memory ofTom Smith, who was my youngest son's best friend and who died of cancer in Feb­ ruary, 2006. "So we performed our routines


again in Bolton-by-Bowland Village Hall in front of 120 friends and villagers and raised £2,220 for Derian House Chil­ dren's Hospice. The evening included an auction, raffle and live music from Clitheroe band Compared to What." Ribble Valley residents Justin and


Louise Birchall, of Middop, also took part in the "Not Strictly..." competition at the Dunkenhalgh.The husband and wife duo had lessons for eight weeks beforehand, and although they admit­ ted to on-the-night nerves


ner Kathy McArdle took centre stage in the Ribble Valley's very own version of the hit BBC show "Strictly Come Dancing'.’ The twinkle-toed duo opened the glittering fund-raising event, called Not Strictly Come Dancing" at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel - all in aid of the NSPCC. Bolton-by-Bowland res­


ident Kathy, who is married to Liverpool born actor John McAr­ dle, organ­ ised the star-stud­ ded event,


at which Sea­ mus O'Neill (who has appeared in


"Life on Mars" and "Emmerdale") acted as MC. Other celebrities who attended


the black-tie event were Julie Howarth, who plays Claire in "Coronation Street" and John Hen- shaw, of "Early Doors" and "Born and Bred’.’ After Kathy and Malcolm kick- started the competition, four local couples had to step into the lime­ light and be judged on their waltz


and cha-cha by a panel of special celebrity guests. The event attracted crowds of peo­


ple and highlights during the evening included an auction, with prizes includ­ ing a shirt worn by the current "Strictly Come .Dancing" champion Mark Ram- prakash in the last series. The shirt was auctioned alongside a two-night break at Champneys. Kathy and John are long-standing


Denise Park and Andy Robinson dancing the cha-cha-cha to win the competition Is)


said they enjoyed the experience and hope to continue dancing. Coronation Street star Malcolm Hebden, better known as busybody Norris Cole, along with dancing part­


supporters of the NSPCC and have fund-raised for the children’s charity for several years.The "Not Strictly..." night has raised more than £8,000 so far for the children's charity. Speaking after the event, Kathy said:


" It was a fantastic night that went real­ ly well.


"Mine and Malcolm's da'nce was


well received and everyone cheered us on. It wasn't a perfect routine, but I don't think that mattered."


Malcolm Fiebden and


Kathy and McArdle lead


off the


dancing T111I07/5


Valley Feature on a local tai chi class and the 80-year old who runs it O


kung class? Well one Ribble Valley


H


resident certainly can. Frank Riding, who lives


with his wife, Kath, in Whal- ley, has proved age is no bar­ rier to keeping fit. Frank has been taking a tai chi class for the past three years while usual instructor Chris Holden has been away. The 90-minute session is


run every Tuesday evening in Whalley Methodist Church Hall and over the years has proved a big hit, attracting people of mixed ability from far and wide. I always find a reason not


to go to the gym, or exer­ cise, so when Frank invited me to attend one of his tai chi classes, I was only too happy to do so. I was also intrigued to find out why it is renowned throughout the world’and why it is consid­ ered so different than any other exercises. Before the session, Frank


explained what tai chi is all about. “The arts of tai chi and chi kung are the treas­ ures from centuries of Chi­ nese culture," he told me. "Tai chi movements com­


bine balance, flexibility, aer­ obic and toning exercises through slow, graceful action. Each of these aspects of fitness con­ tributes to overall health. "The initial aim of the tai


chi is to teach the practition­ er to relax. This, however, does not mean to flop loosely, but rather to use the body as efficiently as possible, with no muscular tension, and to use as little energy as possible."


Frank's explanation of tai


chi sounded too good to be true, but there was only one way to find out - by attend­ ing the session. On the actual night of the


class, I was one of the first there, but the hall soon filled with enthusiastic learners all eager and raring to go. The dress code was casual, as long as it was not anything that restricted


. movement. I, like many people, have


always been under the impression that tai chi is perfect for the over-50s. So, I was surprised to see peo­ ple of all ages - from those in their mid-20s to others in the late 70s. I also noted that they were all of mixed ability, from beginners to the more experienced.


Nervous I must admit that, as an


absolute beginner, I felt nervous and kept thinking to myself "I bet everyone knows what is going on and I am going to make a com­ plete fool out of myself." But, thankfully, my fears


were soon laid to rest and I was well looked after and guided through each and every movement. The class began with


warming up exercises to prepare the body for tai chi, and although initially I felt all eyes were on me, it soon became apparent that each and every member of the class was concentrating on his/her movements and pay­ ing full attention to Frank,


who was leading the class. A collection of traditional


Chinese folk music was played to aid relaxation and peace of mind. Although the pace was nice and slow, I found it hard to keep up. Frank kept reminding me to concentrate on my posture and that I had to take my time when stepping for­ wards, backwards, side­ ways, lifting a leg into the air in a kicking action, bending at the waist, etc. After the first hour I felt so relaxed and that I was


learning how to move my body more naturally, more efficiently and using less energy as I did so. Before I knew it, the session had come to an end and I felt full of energy, relaxed and a lot calmer. It was an enlight­ ening experience. Tai chi reduces stress by


increased awareness of relaxation skills. It is great for balance, co-ordination and well-being. Tai chi is suitable for any age and fit­ ness level and Frank is bringing the benefits of the


practice to a larger number of people. "The exercises are help­


ful to the inner organs and the Royal Hallamshire Hos­ pital, Sheffield, have been using tai chi for heart patients for years," he said.


"You may ask are there any drawbacks? The only drawback I can truthfully tell you is the time used to per­ fect it. Tai chi is simple to learn, but extremely difficult to master."


So, if fitness, walking and


toning exercises are a little too run-of-the-mill, try the amazing experience of tai ■ chi and you will find that it not only reduces tension through the development of inner energy and calmness of mind, but it enhances motivation and performance in all areas of life, such as work, social and home life - making you a happier per­ son. ■ Original instructor Chris


Holden is now back and has joined Frank in leading the


class at Whalley Methodist Church Hall onTuesday evenings starting at 7-30 p.m. Frank also holds ses­ sions in Great Harwood and Accrington. Chris and Frank were


taught by Derek Gordon, a world-class renowned mar­ tial artist. Chris has also studied twice with James McNeil in California, USA, as well as studying at the Shaolin Monastry in China. If you are want to attend the class, call Frank on 01254 823029.


OW many 80-year- olds can boast run­ ning a tai chi and chi


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


Clitheroe 422324 (Editorial), 422323 (Advertising), Burnley 422331 (Classified)


www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk


Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, December 27th, 2007 25 ■aliev__5 V Worried about trying tai chi? Just relax!


Julie Smith,


Vanessa Warren, Nicola


Collins, Joan


Carrington and


Melissa


O’Rourke T1W07/5C


Fiza


O'Connor, Anette Furey, John


O'Connor and


Jackie Mann


T111l07/5b


Frank Riding puts some of their group through their


TheConistOn Hotel ^Je Perfect T^locefor -Special Occasions or ^functions (§


01756 748080


Coniston Hotel ^ 'Perfect ‘Place for Special Occasions or Junctions T e f ;


01756 748080


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30