Moray keep fit instructor has a Royal time with King Charles III and Camilla after 67 years of teaching
There aren’t many people who are still going strong in the same job after 67 years.
That’s how long Pam Watson has been teaching FLexercise, a type of keep fit regime.
And that’s why she was recently invited to a Royal Garden Party at Holyroodhouse, attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, plus Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Pam, who’s a very sprightly 86, still runs a weekly FLexercise class every Tuesday afternoon at Forres Community Centre.
She said: “I’ve been talking about retiring for about 20 years but here I am still – and that’s because I enjoy it so much.
“I love teaching and imparting the knowledge I’ve gained over the years.
“And it makes a real difference to people, not just physically but mentally and socially too.”
Pam began taking classes shortly after moving to Moray in 1972 with her husband Dick.
However by that stage she was already something of a veteran, having taken it up at the age of eight and begun teaching aged 19.
Pam said: “FLexercise was invented in the 1930s when it was known as the 'Women's League of Health & Beauty'.
“I remember telling my mother when i was aged about 15 that I wanted to become a Women's League of Health & Beauty teacher.
“It was designed as something you could do at home, without the need for a lot of space.
“The exercises can be performed either standing up or, if you prefer, in a chair.
“They really help to keep the joints active.
“You can definitely see the difference it makes to people over time.”
Pam also taught classes for many years at Elgin Community Centre and, more recently, at Elgin High Church, before deciding to concentrate her efforts in Forres.
After a summer break, Pam will begin her weekly classes again on September 3.
Both she and her daughter Jenny teach at Forres Community Centre.
Jenny takes an active class on Tuesday mornings, while Pam runs one for senior citizens on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm-3pm.
Email pamscottwat@gmail.com for further details.
