SPRIGHTLY Giggleswick resident Margaret Swainson will celebrate her 90th birthday next week doing what she does every Wednesday evening – playing badminton.
Margaret was in her 40s when she joined Settle Ladies Badminton Club shortly after it was founded in 1968.
Despite an unpleasant bunion operation, which kept her out of the game for much of one recent season, she persevered in regaining her fitness and is currently showing good form. She has the “usual pains” in hips and knees, but says: “You can’t give in to things like that”.
She ensures her fitness by walking briskly everywhere she needs to go around Settle and Giggleswick. She still drives but chooses not take her car to the local shops. When asked recently how she managed if her shopping was very heavy or bulky, she replied: “That’s no problem, I just walk to the shops twice.”
Margaret, who was a teaching assistant, is the widow of Brian Swainson, one-time deputy headteacher of Settle High School. Her husband and sons were also well-known local rugby players.
Settle Ladies Badminton Club meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the main hall at Settle Community College, with all ages and abilities welcome.
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