Go along for the ride at cyclefest
It was a family tragedy that made Mary Maskell determined to learn to swim as a young girl. But now, as she approaches her 92nd birthday, it is difficult to keep her out of the water.
The nimble nonagenarian is the oldest member of Maidstone Swimming Club for the Disabled, and can regularly be seen doing her weekly laps at the town’s leisure centre.
Being a strong swimmer has always been important to her, after her grandad, a Thames barge skipper, drowned in the River Medway near Halling in the 1930s.
Mrs Maskell, who lives in the Cutbush and Corrall Almshouses in Vinters Road, Maidstone, says she can remember the cries of anguish amongst family members People are being invited to pedal on over to this year’s Maidstone Cyclefest on Saturday.
Participants can test their stamina on a turbo time trial as well as getting a free check-up for their bicycle. There will also be displays of vintage and modern bikes including a penny farthing, bone shaker, electric and Olympic bikes. and in particular the often repeated statement “why didn’t he ever learn to swim?!”.
Then a young girl, she made up her own mind to teach herself. With no formal lessons she practised in the River Medway near Tonbridge, where she lived. She was often joined by friends and cousins and on one occasion, near the weir, had to be dragged ashore after getting into difficulty herself.
Undeterred, she developed her swimming in the open air pool at Tonbridge and through her teenage years would always make a point of being the first to enter the cold water when the pool opened
It’s being held in Jubilee Square, off High Street, Maidstone, from 10am to 4pm.
Visitors can also make their own smoothies using pedal power and police representatives will be present to offer security marking.
Since 2011 Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum has been working with Maidstone Bor- ough Council to look at ways to improve existing cycle routes and propose additions.
Paul Harper, chairman of Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum, said: “We really hope that families will come and enjoy the day and see why ‘getting on their bike’ can be fun, heathy and a fantastic way to get out and about!”