11 - Deputy Mayor flies into the record books

Archived news release from 2008

 

Councillor Pat Martin flew straight into the record books when she paid a visit to a recent community fun day.

 

Councillor Martin, who is in her 60s, was invited to the Friends of Netherton Park fun day which featured frisbee throwing and the chance to go for a number of world and British titles.

 

Despite having never thrown a frisbee before, the deputy Mayor smashed the mini disc world record for the over 55s with a whopping 20.55metres.

 

The distance has been verified by the World Flying Disc Federation in America and has been officially recorded by the group.

 

 

“I was very sporting in my younger days and I used to throw the discus at school, but I had never thrown a frisbee.

 

“I am very competitive but I was very surprised when they told me I had broken a record. I thought it was a joke, I only entered for fun.

 

“I suppose I might be the first record-breaking deputy Mayor Dudley has ever had.”

 

At school Councillor Martin excelled in swimming, athletics and hockey. She still plays golf off a 15 handicap.

 

The deputy first citizen of the borough was asked along to the fun day, and was one of around 2,000 people in the park on Saturday July 29.

 

A total 17 people attempted world and British records on the day, but just six succeeded. It included a range of different age and gender categories.