A RETIRED couple from Tavistock are living proof that you are ?never too old to learn to swim? after taking the plunge in a unique way to celebrate their golden wedding. After a lifetime of being unable to swim, Eric and Maureen Reynolds from Down Park Drive, decided it was time to overcome their fears so joined up with Plymouth-based swimming club Swimcats. It all came about folllowing a recent illness when Maureen, 72, and Eric, 73, went on holiday to Falmouth as a relaxing treat and stayed in a hotel with a swimming pool but they could not use it as neither of them had learned to swim. This year, however, as they approached their golden wedding, they decided to stay at the hotel and this time, use the swimming pool. They joined Swimcats in February and have been having a session with instructor Madeline Allen once a week in Plymouth and practise with the senior swimming sessions at Meadowlands in Tavistock twice a week. Eric, a retired financial controller, said: ?After all these years we?ve realised that people who can?t swim are really missing out. ?For us, we find the experience very relaxing and it will no doubt help keep us fit ? you could say we?ve taken to it like ducks to water. ?We didn?t have the confidence at first. We both had bad experiences as youngsters ? in those days it was even frowned upon to even go into swimming pools unless you could swim. Our instructor is very good, encouraging us, and not allowing us to the next stage unless we are confident. ?If this publicity encourages more elderly people then we have achieved our objective and even if you don?t learn to swim it is good exercise and fun to get in the water.? Madeline said swimming was an ideal form of exercise for older people as it encouraged movement and flexibility without putting pressure on the joints. She said: ?We were delighted to get a call from Maureen and Eric and are really pleased to help them fulfil their life-long dream to learn to swim.?