Ref. 30000-29&21 David Attridge doing a bungee jumpTHE sleepy village of Chiseldon would seem an unlikely venue to find a band of over 50s with a penchant for extreme sports.

Yet members of the Chiseldon Travel Club are determined to shrug off the cardigan and slippers image and have some fun.

Since it was launched in 1980, hundreds have enjoyed exhilarating trips to far away places, including Thailand, Singapore and Bali.

In February 33 members returned from a 26-day trip to New Zealand, where many tried their hand at daring sports, including white water rafting and jet boating on the mighty Shotover River. Some even gave bungee jumping a go.

"We're permanently on gap year these days," said Ian Dixon, 61, who runs the club with wife Sharon, 57.

"A lot of our members are looking to have a bit of fun now their families have grown up."

Ian joined fellow traveller, retired teacher David Attridge, 63, from Hampshire, for the nerve-wracking jump.

"It was something that we both really wanted to do for years but never got round to doing," said Ian, who is now the proud owner of a t-shirt awarded to jumpers.

"The opportunity was there so we took it. Surprisingly, we weren't too nervous we were both really up for it and raring to go."

Ian and Sharon, who run Norton House bed and breakfast in Draycot Road, Chiseldon, insist older generations have had enough of trips to Eastbourne and want something that will give them more of a buzz.

"None of our members want to sit around on buses the whole time," said Sharon, as the group looked over freshly-developed holiday snaps at the village's Patriot Arms pub.

"You don't have to be 18 years-old to have fun and we're proving that."

Pinehurst couple Patrick, 66, and Carol Lewington, 63, agree. They were among the oldest to give the rafting a go during a stopover in Queenstown scene of much of the filming for the Lord of the Rings.

Patrick said: "It was the best part of the holiday for me even though we were thrown out of the boat when it capsized."

But Carol couldn't pick the best part in the trip.

"Every moment was a highlight we enjoyed every second," she said simply. The couple were especially impressed by Sharon's organisational skills.

Patrick said: "At our age you don't want the aggro of organising trips. All of that was done for us and we could just sit back and enjoy the holiday."

For 51-year-old Sandra Johnston, of Grosmont Drive, Freshbrook, the trip was a belated 50th birthday present from her husband Ian, 54.

"It wasn't really a holiday it was an adventure," said Sandra. "We both wanted an organised trip yet at the same time we wanted to be flexible.

"Sharon and Ian kept the suspense going. We didn't have a set plan, we were only told events the day before.

"The helicopter ride was fantastic as was the whale-watching."

Several of the members have already signed up for a trip to the Canadian Rockies in September.

Another New Zealand adventure is scheduled for early 2005.

For further information about becoming a member call Ian and Sharon on 01793 741210.

Kevin Shoesmith