A 92 year old silver surfer is being hailed as a role model for people half his age.<\/p>\n
Energetic ex-soldier Don Thomas has signed up for a weekly computer class in Kinmel Bay – and hops on his bike to get there.<\/p>\n
The free classes are being organised by housing association Catrefi Conwy at the Community House on Chester Road Avenue East.<\/p>\n
Don, a grandfather of two,\u00a0 is now getting to grips with word processing and using the Internet.<\/p>\n
A native of Blaina, in the South Wales Valleys, he worked as\u00a0 a steelworks inspector in Sheffield.<\/p>\n
After serving in the Royal Corps of Signals in the Second World War, he moved to the Midlands where he built bridges.<\/p>\n
Don’s much loved wife, Kathleen, died in 1991 after 52 years of marriage and he moved to the Argoed sheltered housing complex\u00a0 on the Chester Avenue estate10 years ago.<\/p>\n
When he’s not surfing on the Internet, Don loves riding his bicycle and recently peddled all the way to St Asaph and back.<\/p>\n
He’s also a dab hand on the keyboard and regularly plays and sings hymns at the Apostolic Church in Rhyl.<\/p>\n
Don said: “The way Cartrefi Conwy look after you is wonderful, the warden comes around every day. It’s marvellous.<\/p>\n
“I come to the Community House on my bike. Before coming on the course, I’d never done anything on a computer. The tutor is very patient.<\/p>\n
“It’s going really well and I find it very interesting – it’s good for the brains.<\/p>\n
“I could never type when I was younger but I’m getting into it by degrees. You’re never too old to learn.<\/p>\n
“I would recommend this to all older people, I’d encourage them.”<\/p>\n
Retired pub landlady Mary Walker, 80, also loves the computer course.<\/p>\n
She said: “I am really enjoying the course, it’s wonderful. It’s opened a whole new world for me.”<\/p>\n
Among Don’s biggest fans is Vicky Welsman, Cartrefi Conwy’s Community House Development Manager.<\/p>\n
She manages the 10-week course that is put on in partnership with Coleg Llandrillo.<\/p>\n
Vicky said: “There’s a need for many tenants on the estate to learn how to use a computer especially with the welfare benefits reform. They need to be able to fill in application forms online.<\/p>\n
“This is the second beginners’ course so we have a mix of tenants and residents. 10 week course, three hour sessions.<\/p>\n
“It’s really important for people to have these skills and Cartrefi Conwy are focusing on supporting tenants.<\/p>\n
“We have a suite of computers available for tenants in the Community House to use them for whatever they want – whether that’s paying bills or whatever. Six computers and two laptops.<\/p>\n
“This is a much needed facility and our aim is to work with learning and educational providers to offer this type of training and facility\u00a0 in more community hubs in the future.<\/p>\n
“Don is our star pupil. He’s a lovely bloke and the life and soul of the estate – he’s got a heart of gold.<\/p>\n
“He’s thrown himself into this computer course with great enthusiasm – as far as I can tell that’s Don’s approach to everything.<\/p>\n
“He doesn’t seem nervous about it at all. A lot of younger people are phased – but not Don.<\/p>\n
“He’s getting stuck in and enjoying the course and he’s definitely making real progress.”<\/p>\n
Community Lecturer Tean Williams, from Llandrillo College, said: “The class is split into two groups, one for beginners and the other for those with more experience.<\/p>\n
“Don is in the beginners group and they are learning word processing and Internet use, how it works and how to get information from it.<\/p>\n
“All the members of the class are really enthusiastic but we could also do with a few younger ones.<\/p>\n
“Don is showing the way, he’s a fantastic role model. He’s brilliant.\u00a0 I can’t believe he’s 92.”<\/p>\n
For more information about the classes at Chester Avenue Community House contact Vicky Welsman on 01745 331825<\/strong> or
\nemail vicky.welsman@cartreficonwy.org<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n