John Parnell – the Hoop Guy – presented a fascinating and very amusing talk in three parts.

He first described how hula hoops had been found in the ancient world dating back to 500 BC. In 14th century England, doctors treated patients with pain, dislocated backs, and even heart failure due to hooping.

 The 1950s craze for hula hooping, which we all remembered, began in Australia and spread worldwide with the invention of soft plastics to replace the cane, willow, rattan and grasses used by early hoopers in Australia. 

The second part of John’s talk was a demonstration of hooping during which he explained the very simple movements necessary to keep the hoop circling the body, and then multiple hoops round fingers, arms, legs, chest, neck… a dazzling display!

And in the third part he invited us to give it a try! And several of us did with varying degrees of success and artistry! My attempt was at the lower end of competence, but it was fun! And true to John’s promise, didn’t hurt my back, nor my hips, nor my knees – it really is safe, and beneficial as a fun form of exercise.