Last updated 13:53, Saturday, 24 May 2008

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OUTRAGED South Workington residents are fighting back after a health report said they had the worst health in Cumbria.

Moss Bay Residents’ Group held a lunch in St Mary’s Community Rooms, Salisbury Street, last Wednesday in response to the study carried out by Durham University.

David McGarry, of the residents’ group, said that the lunch was to show that Moss Bay is a positive area.

He said: “This started as a response to Professor John Ashton’s report.

“We want to prove that people can live to be quite old here and enjoy a good quality of life.”

“You have to respect the statistics but it was the comparison with other areas that people didn’t like because they thought it was unfair.”

Group treasurer, Gillian Bibby said: “I don’t think the health here is any worse than anywhere else in the country. We are proud of the area.”

Residents played bingo and sang classics like The Happy Wanderer and When the Saints Go Marching In.

The oldest male and female members of the Moss Bay Residents Group were presented with gifts.

Harold Hoodless, 90, of Salisbury Court, received a wrist watch and Mrs Ferriady, 93, of Cranbourne Street, Moss Bay, received a bouquet of flowers.

Mr Hoodless said: “Although I’m 90 years old, I don’t feel it. Racing pigeons is what has kept my sprightly for so long.”

Mrs Ferriady said: “I don’t know where they get that report from. Moss Bay is a fantastic place to live. Look how long I have lived here.
“I remember Moss Bay when it was just a village.”

Retired councillor Joan Minto, 76, of Westfield Drive, Workington, said: “I was disgusted and upset by the report and so were a lot of my friends.”

Mary Blackburn, 77, of Salterbeck Road, said: “Old people in the area still get around and have a good quality of life. I go to the Oval Centre in Salterbeck to dance and play bingo.”