ENTHUSIASTIC: The Over 50s Taekwondo class at The Hub, Barnard Castle, has celebrated its first anniversary
ENTHUSIASTIC: The Over 50s Taekwondo class at The Hub, Barnard Castle, has celebrated its first anniversary

Martial arts

WHAT started off as a four week project is celebrating its first birthday this week.

The Over 50s Taekwondo Club was launched by Master Katey Wallace, 5th Dan, as a short course to promote the benefits of martial arts training for people thinking they may be too old to start training.

Ms Wallace said: “This couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the people who join start for gentle exercise and for mobility.

“Martial arts is one of the best things you can do to stay active and supply and really oil those joints,” she said.

The class, held every Tuesday morning at The Hub, in Barnard Castle, has eight to ten members who train weekly.

“Most of the students are so keen they train an extra once or twice a week,” added Ms Wallace.

“There is no stopping them. They inspire me every time I teach them because they don’t let age, mobility or disabilities stop them, they simply want to learn something new and that’s amazing,” she said.

For anyone wanting to give the class a go, new members are always welcome. Call Ms Wallace on 07901 650 796 for more details.