Thomas is still pumping iron – at the age of 96!
HE may have just celebrated his 96th birthday, but Thomas Prisk is still pumping iron. For the last 50 years, Thomas has stayed active and dedicated to keeping fit and healthy.
His routine, which over time has consisted of outdoor swimming, cardio and strength training, now sees him visiting Carn Brea leisure centre near Camborne three times a week for an hour.
Whilst official records state that he joined in October 2000, Thomas is remembered by many as attending for decades before that.
On November 3, Thomas celebrated his birthday at the leisure centre cafe, where he was awarded a lifetime-membership to the gym as a commemoration of his 50 years as an active member.
Julie Richards, Thomas’s daughter, described the day: “It was lovely, we all gathered up at the cafe with a few balloons and all his friends. The staff surprised him with the membership and it was just so wonderful to see him get the recognition he deserves.”
Back in the 60s, after serving as a Lancaster rear gunner in the Second World War, Thomas set up St Agnes Surf Live Saving Club and later cofounded Hayle Surf Life Saving Club. Members of both regularly trained at Carn Brea leisure centre alongside Thomas, when the gym first opened their doors to the public in 1974.
He later worked for Cambornebased engineering firm Holmans, alongside raising his two children and caring for his wife, who suffered from multiple sclerosis.
“He’s had a tough life, but he’ll never let it show. I feel very proud to call him my dad, he’s a great person and always has been.” added Julie.
Now, Thomas spends his time working out and meeting friends at the leisure centre. “He loves his exercise and up until recently he had
‘He loves his exercise and until recently he worked out three times a week’
JULIE RICHARDS, THOMAS’S DAUGHTER
quite a routine, working out for two hour sessions three times a week,” said Julie.
“But it’s a social thing to, he gets to meet up with his friends or me after in the cafe. I think it really does keep him in good spirits” she added.
Thomas sadly suffered a minor stroke around a month ago, putting a halt to his training and his visits to the centre. But despite his hospitalisation, Mr Prisk has managed a safe return to the gym, getting him back to doing what he loves the most.
Julie shared her concerns for her Dad, saying: “It can be hard sometimes to not worry about him, it’s a real balance to make sure he doesn’t overdo it. You can see as he gets older, his lows are more difficult to bounce back from but he never gives up and he is truly an inspiration to everyone that knows him.”
Thomas’s friend Roger Seymour praised the gym for giving them a space to exercise and meet up.
In recent months, there has been a threat of the potential closure of leisure centres across the county, with thousands of people signing a petition calling for all Cornwall Council members to be able to vote.
Roger said: “With so many centres at risk of closing down, Carn Brea seems to go from strength to strength, especially because of the help of the Plymouth Argyle apprentice scheme. Leisure centres are vital to our communities, not only for our physical health but mental too.”
“I see it in my Dad daily, he’s better off because of Carn Brea facilities. Funding should be available to the gyms all over Cornwall,” added Julie.