ANYONE who saw the film Calendar Girls will remember the scene where the ladies are on the top of the hill practising their tai chi moves. Well ,tai chi came to Forest Moor for our April meeting, and what a wonderful time was had by all.

Our speakers for the evening were Kath Smart and Amanda Turgoose from Age Concern Knaresborough, based at Cliff House in Knaresborough. After a brief introduction on the benefits and origins of tai chi, Amanda asked if anyone would like to join in with a practical demonstration of the ancient Chinese martial art.

I think she thought she might be able to coax one or too hardy types on to the floor but was flabbergasted when the entire audience got up and joined her.

After a gentle warm-up, Amanda showed us some of the exercises. It really is a very gentle and relaxing form of exercise for the mind and body, with the emphasis on three levels of breathing to inflate and expand the lungs correctly.

The different movements have beautiful names such as Heaven and Earth, Painting the Horizon and The Rainbow.

Combined with the gentle relaxing music, this really was an extremely peaceful interlude and the silence in the hall from 40 or so women was amazing; it has probably never been achieved before at one of our meetings!

Kath Smart then told us about the Ageing Well Project that started five years ago at Cliff House.

It was set up to encourage people of 50 plus to stay fit and healthy in mind and body by offering a range of activities. The social aspect and having fun is very important, so besides tai chi classes you can do yoga or swimming, play bridge or scrabble and they also run computer courses for silver surfers. The therapy suit offers aromatherapy sessions, assistance with bathing or taking a shower, and monthly hearing aid and chiropody clinics.

Elizabeth Stuart-Brown gave the vote of thanks for a splendid talk and demonstration.

Birthday flowers were presented to Ann Sunderland, Barbara Senior and Ruth Usher and competition winners Stephanie Exon, Margaret Todd and Pat Byrne were announced.

Ruth, our secretary, reported how much they had enjoyed the dominoes match at Arkendale and, although we didn’t win, Margaret Todd had the highest points.

We were delighted to hear that Stephanie Exon has had one of her photographs accepted for inclusion in the 2009 WI calendar; well done, Stephanie. Reminders of forthcoming events brought the business meeting to a close for this month but we shall be back on Tuesday, May 6 to listen to a talk about advanced motoring, so if there is a would-be Sterling Moss out there, please come along and join us.