A BARNSLEY College sport student has returned to education - after a 43-year gap!
John Butler, 68, retired from his construction career in March 2011 and decided to go back to college part-time to study sports and fitness.
After taking a sports massage course last year, John has now moved onto fitness instructing.
Before this, he was last in education in 1969 when he took his Chartered Institute of Building qualification!
John, of Silkstone, said: "When I first enrolled at college last year I was apprehensive about my age compared to other students.
"I needn’t have been worried. The groups are really varied and it’s great to work and share experiences with people of differing ages, backgrounds and life experiences.
"Age is no barrier if you want to carry on achieving things in later life."
John will be continuing his studies in 2014, taking courses in personal training, kettlebells and first aid.
On completion, John hopes to utilise his new skills by doing some volunteer personal training work with disabled people.
