Yesterday (Saturday 6 July) the first Health & Wellbeing Day in Marlborough took over St Peter’s and many in the Marlborough Community came in to find out. And also see the stallholders who were there to add that bit of ‘extra’ to the cause of Health & Wellbeing.
The day was run by the Marlborough H&W group, led by Jill Turner and supported by Wiltshire Council through the Marlborough Area Board. Mayor Kym-Marie Cleasby gave a rousing speech to all present, thanking those who made the day possible whilst also stressing the importance of Health & Wellbeing to us all, and how it makes all of our lives just that bit easier and more enjoyable.
Better Health & Wellbeing for every one of us can, ironically help the NHS which is, as acknowledged by the newly appointed Health Secretary – ‘broken’…. Better health, less need for direct healthcare, less stress on our health service and – above all, it might even be fun. Yesterday at St Peter’s many groups there – Rugby and Tennis Clubs, Fruci Fit, Hot Pod Yoga amongst the twenty two others, were all there offering enjoyable and active ways of helping our overall individual health. Yes, it can be fun…..
Marlborough’s first such day was introduced to help get us all healthier, and in as fun and enjoyable ways as possible. Even singing, as explained by Marlborough Community Choir‘s Emma Pooley, is good for health (be it in the shower, bath, kitchen, Swindon’s County Ground or with one of the many choirs active around here). While music is a direct line into the emotions, singing is a direct line into our health, keeping us all well.
Demonstrations were given by Lockeridge based Fruci Fit, Age UK Wiltshire as well as Marlborough Community Choir. If the weather had been slightly better, retired racehorse ‘Marv’ from Greatwood would have visited – in the churchyard, rather than in the church itself – and particularly for older members of our community, those in residential care, visits by ‘Marv’ and his ‘colleagues’ at Greatwood have been shown to be very beneficial.
Organiser Jill Turner told Marlborough.news: “I would particularly like to thank St Peter’s for hosting the event and to mention that despite the autumnal weather we had a busy morning and our decision to select the indoor venue was definitely a foresighted one as our original plan had been to host the event in Priory Gardens. Better weather would have been helpful and the decision to cancel the visit from ‘Marv’ the retired racehorse from Greatwood charity was undoubtedly sensible in view of the weather although the presence of the horse would almost certainly have increased attendance at our event.
“The Day helped to promote the work and support from a wide range of organisations, sharing the messages about health and wellbeing and providing the opportunity for the organisations to liaise with each other to enhance the support which they can offer to local residents.
“I am keen to evaluate the success of the Day and to explore whether in due course the event increases interest in, and awareness of these services from members of the public.”
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