Keepfitters' reunion

The Keepfitters' reunion held at the Phoenicia Hotel on October 22 was indeed an emotional occasion for me. I met many keep-fit enthusiasts, some who had attended my classes 36 years ago.

Sharing photos and viewing fitness displays from 1976 to 1992, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, was a treat for all of us, with many amused and surprised to rediscover images of younger, slimmer and more agile selves in action once again.

My thanks go to the Phoenicia Hotel, kindly made available by Charles Azzopardi; it was the perfect venue for many who attended classes there in the 1970s. The Phoenicia management team and staff offered their services at no charge as proceeds from this activity were donated to YWCA (Malta).

My thanks go to Bonavita Printers of Tigné, who printed the admission tickets without charge and ABC Stationers, who sold them from their Sliema and Valletta outlets. Mr Clean also shared in the success of the fund-raising by sponsoring the promotion posters.

It is a great feeling to realise how the culture of fitness, in which I had been involved since 1971, helped to transform the Maltese woman from her traditional housebound role to a more open and healthier lifestyle, feeling proud of her physical and mental attributes. It was amazing to see how the Maltese housewife developed her newfound confidence and poise to take part in public fitness displays to packed audiences in such places as the Mediterranean Conference Centre, San Anton Gardens, the Palace Paola and Palladium theatres, Phoenicia and Excelsior hotels and twice at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

I want to express my deep appreciation to all who attended our reunion and to those who could not make it, but phoned to offer their good wishes and reminisce about the good old days.