Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Yet another crackpot government initiative that skirts round the real problem.

We pensioners don’t want free this and free that, but only for those who use the freebie. An adequate pension is what is needed so that we can pay our way as WE CHOOSE.

How many pensioners go swimming or will go if it is free? Towards the end of my working career I was a lifeguard/attendant at Shadsworth Leisure Centre and swimming pensioners were few and far between.

And who will pay for this free swimming? There will be government grants. Whose money will that be?

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

thats the general idea jim, it won't cost owt.;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Hate to say this jambutty but at the swimming pools in rossendale there are a lot of pensioners that go swimming. They do the aquarobics (aerobics in the pool) because they want to keep fit and there is a pensioner club at the pools as well. There is a passport to leisure scheme in rossendale which is £1.60 i think it is for a class/swim

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

paris also goes swimming once or twice a week at hyndburn sports centre, n if theres any pensioners there when she goes, they must have weathered well.:D rossendale is probably dingles goin fer a wash jen.:D;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I wonder? If there weren’t a pensioners club at the pool would there be the same interest and attendance?

What’s a lot of pensioners? 30, 50, even 100? How many pensioners in Rossendale? Thousands, I’ll be bound.

I doubt if 1% of pensioners will even think about going swimming in their twilight years let alone actually doing so.

This latest government initiative is nothing more than yet another con so that it can brag about what it is doing for pensioners.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

i know a lot of older ladies who go swimming, everytime i go to Hyndburn sportsy it is always packed out with them in the mornings, i think this is a great idea

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

As long as the pensioners are`nt incontinent then i think its great.....:D

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There was only a pensioners club because so many were going.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

My late Father went swimming every week once he retired at 65 and he wasn't on his own. Swimming is good exercise and can be therapeutic for rheumatism and other such afflictions.

I think it's a great idea and I don't mind my tax pennies going towards such a scheme. This thread looks like just another excuse for a whinge.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I used to swim twice a week at Harwood, but the price got silly...so I stopped going.
I do agree that rather than free stuff that we might not make use of we should have a pension which allows us to pay our way...especially as when you hand over you proof of age, people look at you like you should not be getting anything for nowt....like you are 'sponging'......Yes, I would prefer to pay my own way.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

It is also being offered to children under 16 too Jambutty.

The main aim is to try and get these categories fitter and therefore save on health bills, 'tis well-known that swimming is extremely beneficial to all types of conditions.

I, myself, go swimming three times per week . o.k. am in a private gym, and a younger type pensioner ... :D I don't know how long I will be able to sustain this membership moneywise, so will be grateful of the freebie. There are always lots of people there older than me who struggle to walk, have had strokes, broken bones, arthritis. They find it difficult to walk alongside the pools, but when they get in the water, their movement is much improved, and obviously of great enjoyment to them.

It is proposed that swimming will be free for all by 2012.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

When I go swimming (usually lunchtimes) it is mainly elderly people and some of them cant half swim!!

As for free swimming for OAP's isn't that discrimination by age?

I think it should either be free for everyone or we all pay

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Well at least i have something to look forward too if i reach 60!!

as well as free bus, ill get free swimming lessons:D, wonder what else will be free by the time i reach it?...EMMMM

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

what a pile of tosh!
do you think that everyone should get discounts on public transport as well?
they have to pay rent and council tax, they pay tax twice on their pensions.. let them have a few perks! there are age related illnesses that can be made a little easier by swimming and it would also give some oaps a little relief from pain whilst they are swimming. i think its a great idea.

personally i think they should be given food vouchers as well so they can have a good diet because some cant afford that.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Whilst the principle is a good one why not just give the pensioners a decent pension to spend as they wish? They have worked hard and deserve it IMHO

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Well yes I do think we should all get free or subsidesed public transport, it is one way of reducing car congestion at a stroke and making public transport safer. And lets face it nothing is really 'free' we are paying for it somewhere along the lines.
When I get to retirement age I want to be treated with dignity not disregarded as needing everything for cheap and free. I am old enough to remember the indignity of 'free glasses' dont want that again in another form. Most old people have worked hard and payed into the system for many years they do not deserve to be offered something that they have paid for time and time again as a handout.
Free swimming for all would also reduce the next generation of older peoples likelihood to get illnesses like arthritis etc and thereby save the NHS millions.

As food vouchers that really is an insult to anyone who has worked and paid into the system. Lets leave our older people with some self respect

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

so the pregnant women who get vouchers for fruit and veg are having their dignity compromised are they?
I remember getting free school meals and free milk and orange juice......there is no dignity in being poor, and many pensioners will attest to that.

Until they make the pension one that will allow the older generation to live, rather than exist...I will take whatever is going......after all my taxes are paying for it too(as one who has seen her tax bill double - Thanks Gordon).

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

from my other post you can see that i am against pensioners paying rent and council tax and having to pay tax twice for the same money.. either the state stops this or gives them freebies.

you're seeing this things as hand outs whereas i see them as rewards that they have earned.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Not all pensioners will take advantage of such schemes, some will see it as charity. Although we know it isn't that is an unfortunate fact. Just give them a decent pension to live comfortably!!!

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

:alright::alright::alright::alright::alright::alri ght::alright:As long as society accepts vouchers instead of a livable income the goverment will continue to issue them because they dont give a toss about anyones dignity.

On an individual level then of course I do not expect anyone to refuse vouchers if they are entitled but that should not mean that we accept that being poor means not having ones dignity.
There is a need here to think theoretically and collectively untill the less well off achieve this they will not achieve anything else.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Yes, like many others I do see them as handouts.If they were rights then they would be offered to everyone with out any means testing, which is what should happen

Wouldn't you like the right to retire at a reasonable age without worrying if your private and state pensions have enough contributions? Wouldnt you like to know that the state values the contribution you have made to society enough to ensure you have a reasonable standard of living for the rest of you natural days?

Remember, 'from the cradle to the grave"? That is what we have paid for. That is the deal todsay's pensioners thought they were getting

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Bus passes aren't means tested...and as far as I am aware neither will the opportunity to swim be means tested.....it will be available on the basis of age at first, and then the whole population will get the free swim...that is if they can find a pool to swim in.

A lot of pensioners would be better off if Gordon Brown had not made a huge raid on their pensions......and then had the audacity to double the basic rate of tax.
I think I said in an earlier post that, of course, the best means to make sure the older people got a pension that allows them to live rather than exist......I really can't see it happening in my lifetime......and these concessions that we are handed are a means to shut us up...and perhaps to make us feel grateful.....where is the dignity in that.
No, there isn't any...and that is what I meant when I said that being poor takes away your right to dignity.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I'm sure when I heard about this on the radio it was said that the free swimming scheme would, eventually, be available to everyone. It was first to be for pensioners, then children and, finally, everybody else - at Municipal leisure centres obviously. I don't see the point of doing it in stages - either make it free for all, now, or don't bother.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

In an ideal world pensions would pay enough to give people choices as to how they then spend their money. Sadly in the real world economics score more highly than ideals, and this is a cheap way of giving those who wish to swim the option to do it for free.

Swimming is benefical to our health, and a lot of pensioners will be happy that they no longer have to pay, and hopefully more will also be pursuaded to do so.

Personally I'd scrap non-means tested child benefit for all, and give that money to the pensioners.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

You are missing the point. This freebie will only affect a tiny proportion of pensioners but it will look good on the government’s CV.

There will be thousands like me who do not want to go swimming, so what do we get out of the deal? There will be thousands who cannot even swim and many older folk cannot. They never had the opportunity to learn.

So what is wrong with a good whinge about yet another government idea that hasn’t been thought through? In any case if I want to complain about something I have the right to do so. If you don’t like it then don’t read.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

And so it should. But that is nothing new.

When I was at school, once a week my class (and all the other classes in all the other schools) were taken by an Accrington Corporation bus to Scaitcliffe Baths for free, where those who could not swim were taught to swim. Those of us who could already swim would help the non-swimmers and also swim around.

Then the bus brought us back to school.

It was the same with sports. Football up at King George’s playing fields in winter and cricket in summer.

If the plan is for free swimming for all, what will happen when just 1% of the Accrington population decides to go swimming each day? Pool grid lock???

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

i think its a good idea , but pensioners should get more pension to help with healthy eattin to , there are to meny goin without food and heatin , in the winter, it costs me bewteen 120pound and 150, for gas a month in the winter,

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

As far as I am aware Jambutty, it is compulsory for all children at primary school to be taken for swimming lessons; the aim for them to swim 25 metres by the age of 11 .. those that have not attained this, are offered extra lessons.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

since when kate? way back i got the choice n played football.:confused: never learnt to swim till i was 18 n started drowning.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Not to sure about this Kate but know my grandkids don't seem to go for swimming lessons with the school like we used to. Will find out for sure though;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

We had to go swimming at school but i loved it ,
i took 12 primary certificates then my Bronze ASA,Silver ASA,and Gold ASA there was only two of us that wanted to take this even further and we got our intermediate RLSS and Bronze medallion RLSS medals we wanted to take the Bronze cross RLSS but the school would not pay for us to go any further as they said "swimming was not a sport":D

that's your choice but you could go if you wanted and its a good opportunity for those that cant swim to learn.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I’ve no idea what it costs these days but someone earlier mentioned £1.60. I have also no idea how many pensioners there are in this country. However let us assume that there are 5 million although there are probably more. If the government increased the pension by £1.60 per week it would cost the taxpayer at least £412 million per annum. I seem to recall that the government will grant £50 million to the local authorities to compensate for loss of income and there was something about another £50 million.

This latest crackpot government initiative is ill conceived but it does make the government look good. It can turn round and say, “Look what we are doing for pensioners.”

Whilst making it appear to benefit all pensioners, only a tiny minority will be able to benefit or even want to.

As I stated earlier, if only 1% or pensioners decided to go swimming then it would be baths grid lock.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I am not sure either Bernie, just heard the Minister of (wherever :D) state this on the radio last week.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Think it may possibly come with restrictions as to when we can go .. wouldn't be fair to go early evening when workers wish to go after work, etc.

Some public baths used to have a scheme (Waves I think) whereby if busy, then you were given a certain colour of wristband and could only stay in the water for a certain length of time to allow the next lot to swim. "Come in Blue Bands" so to speak .. :D

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I love how we still call the older generation pensioners even though they hardly even get an adequate pension.

Why be a pensioner Jambutty when you can be a 'free swimmer' instead? You don't need to pay the bills and buy food to live, you need to get yourself to the local pool and swim yourself to death. When will you ever learn?

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Haha ... that's not the idea Blazey .. supposed to keep us fitter to live longer ... :D

Well, I'm off now for me swim.. mmm, think I may go in the outside pool today, fresh air and exercise in one go ... can't beat it ... ;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

And where do people find the energy to swim if they can't afford to feed themselves whilst paying all their bills? Why can't they just be encouraged to go for walks or something and let them decide what to spend their money on?

The fact of the matter is, the government are all too aware that the majority of old people don't care about going swimming, and it's much cheaper to offer out a useless freebie which will only be taken up by a minority than pay out a bit extra to everybody. I think it is disgusting personally and it's bad enough that the government are trying to justify it without having to listened to the brainwashed electorate justify it too.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

It appears that this will only apply to 400 pools throughout England, the ones own by local councils, if I'm not mistaken Hyndburn sports centre is run by a trust not the council, I'm just wondering if this will effect our pool:confused:

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

You Moan About Paying For Things & In The Next Breath Moan About 'Freebies' Liven Up. I Wish I Had Free Swimming.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Well there is if you want it Nickelson there's always Kemp Delph:D

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Why shouldn't they be moaning? We have one of the worst pension schemes in existence and the government are trying to justify it by giving them something the majority wouldn't even consider using, and it's not going to help get the bills paid at the end of the day.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Does it not make you cringe how people do actually jump in there? It's disgusting.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

The Conservatives, who had a large majority in the House of Lords, objected to this attempt to redistribute wealth, and made it clear that they intended to block these proposals. Lloyd George reacted by touring the country making speeches in working-class areas on behalf of the budget and portraying the nobility as men who were using their privileged position to stop the poor from receiving their old age pensions.


http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Lold.htm

If it wasn't for the Liberal Party, supported Labour, you wouldn't even have an old age pension to moan about if the Conservatives had had their way.;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I don't think they had swimming pools at the workhouse.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

it costs £1-50 at hyndburn fer pensioners and disabled, £1-00 of which is refunded when ya return yer locker key, so if hyndburn does come under this scheme there i would estimate 40 max pensioners use it, the government are spending £20 on yer, stop moaning jim.;):D:rolleyes: like i commented in post 2 it costs nowt, i shall amend that to LOOKS GOOD, COSTS NOWT,:D

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Can you swim?

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

No Thank You :)

Dont Fancy Swimming With The Dead.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

whats kemp delph?

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Not very well why? I had swimming lessons at school but they weren't fun. I haven't been swimming for just under a year.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Just wondering :)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

There is no evidence to suggest that regular swimming extends your life. The only evidence that there is, is that whilst swimming the body weight is taken off the arthritic joints and thus makes movement that bit easier. Once out of the water you are back to your painful normal. The only benefit that you get is that the muscles are exercised with less pain. The down side of swimming is that unless the water temperature is at least at body temperature, being immersed in water will cool the body down. We all know that the colder the body gets the worse the effects of arthritis.

Most of the electorate are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

This initiative is only to try and gild the tarnished Labour/Brown image and a smokescreen to try and take our eye off the real issues. Or more likely Brown is muddying the political waters so that when he gets shown the door at the next general election, as surely he will, the next lot will have to spend the first three years undoing what Brown has done.

I read the other day that in spite of all the protests, this mob is surreptitiously going ahead with ID cards.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

98.6 degrees water temperature ! Ouch, don't think so Jambutty. Recommended is approx. 82.4.

At least, the muscles are getting exercised whilst in the water, which wouldn't normally get exercised without pain. All exercise is good for you and will extend life.

All about vascular too, to get the heart pumping a little faster.

I have had a hip replacement in now for 23 years, and although don't have any problems, just sometimes the muscles around the 'hip' would come a little stiff for a few days. Since I have been going swimming regularly, have now no trouble at all.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

i know hence the sarcastic smiley with my comments, others who can't or aint the wit to see its legitimate can go suck eggs.:tongueout

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

As they say in Parliament here, here,:D:rolleyes::p

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I think Hyndburn Sports Centre is a pathetic attempt of a sports centre. The pool opening times are a joke.
But if you decide to pop down at 10am I bet you can't have a swim with your kids even in the holidays.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I don't recall the last Tory government doing anything about pensioners not having a decent income !
Are you trying to tell us that the "New Conservatives" would significantly increase pensions?

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

As my pensioned Dad would say... "it's better than a kick in the cods" :)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

mancie i just love yer sense of humour.:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I don't recall saying the Conservative government would solve the problem. Or any other party for that matter, though I think it is Labours duty to its electorate to provide what it says on the packet. When people vote for Labour, they think they are voting for a party that will bring fairness to all, and provide a good standard of living for everybody. In my view this scheme is designed to make people feel like they are cared about by the government, and that they are getting something extra, when in fact they are getting less. This isn't about MY politics, I just think this is unethical and unfair.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Why do you presume people vote Labour because they will bring fairness to all?... do you think we are all thick or stupid? people vote for what they think is best.. no one is "brainwashed" .. except you maybe .. DOrk

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Well most people who vote Labour do so because they are supposedly a party aiming to represent the working class so they get a fair deal.

I am glad we agree though Mancie that the Labour Party do not at all represent fairness, and we should vote for who represents our best interests. I too agree strongly with this, and have said so in previous threads. I'm sure you have seen this somewhere though seen as you clearly pay attention to all of my posts.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

blazey 40 -mancie 15, just practicing fer wimbledon.:D

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

I can't wait for wimbledon :D far better than Euro 2008 lol... ooooh and the olympics... I can't wait for summer!

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

According to the U.S. Water Fitness Association (USWFA), swimming provides individuals with several physical, social and mental benefits.

http://www.24hrfitness.co.uk/fitness...-swimming.html

I'll pack your trunks.;)

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Uhm, yes?

Gordon Brown has wrecked havoc with our pensioners, he raided pension schemes taking £5 billion a year from them. The Governments own statistics show that pensioners are getting poorer.

The Conservatives have promised to restore the link between pensions and earnings. They got rid of this 25 years ago, but at the time economic circumstances permitted the change. Now circumstances are different, pensioners are struggling after Browns meddling. The proposed changes will take over a million pensioners out of degrading means testing and increase pensions £7 and £11 a week for singles and couples. This is on top of inflationary increases. So the answer is yes, the "New Conservatives" are committed to looking after our pensioners, and too right, they have done a lot for the country, many even fought for its freedom and paid taxes all their lives.

Re: Free Swimming For Pensioners.
 

Just to confuse the issue, this is Pendy, using Yvonne's PC, so don't blame her! I love swimming and used to swim a lot, but in recent years various disabilities have meant that I can't do it anymore. I would like to propose a compromise to our beloved leader, dear old Gordy - even though as a pensioner I am entitled to do so, I am prepared to swear that I will never use the privilege of free swimming, if he will give me my 10p tax rate band back. I can't say fairer than that, can I? Not everyone has been able to put money into a private pension fund over the years, some people were too busy keeping body and soul together, and why should they suffer for it now? It would make sense if State pensions were not taxed - perhaps then pensioners would be able to cope a bit better. No free swimming, thank you - just make the basic pension enough to cover the necessities of life before we start on the fancy bits, health benefits or not. Many pensioners would achieve better health if they could afford enough to eat and could afford to keep warm in Winter.