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DOESN’T it make you feel good? The simple answer from Iris Small, 89, is yes, exercise does make her feel “good, and uplifted” and she’s helping inspire younger members of the popular mobile gym in Acle to raise sufficient grant funds to make it permanent. Iris popped into the gym on Friday after her keep-fit class and explained why she thought exercise was important at any age. “I’ve always been an active person, with dancing, tennis, squash, swimming and walking,” she said. “Keeping active is the secret of old age to keep your brain stimulated. I am 89 and still going strong.” It was at one of her other classes she was encouraged to try the gym.

“There’s a friendly atmosphere and the instructors make me feel very welcome. It would be good to see more men coming along, it’s not just for women.” The mobile gym is at Acle Recreation Centre on Fridays, funded by Broadland District Council and run by North Norfolk District Council. A committee has now been set up by users to apply for grants from organisations such as the Big Lottery Fund in the hope they can buy their own equipment and the gym permanent.