Deputy mayor breaks frisbee record

The deputy mayor of Dudley has gone soaring straight in to the record books after breaking a world record for flinging a frisbee.

Sporty councillor Pat Martin, of Batson Rise, Brierley Hill, had never thrown a frisbee before when she was invited to give it a go at a fun day in Netherton Park.

And her beginners luck took her flying frisbee-first into the world record books when she smashed the mini disc world record for the over 55s with a whopping 20.55m throw.

“I was invited to the fun day at Netherton Park to officially open the event,” said councillor Martin, who is in her 60s but refuses to reveal her exact age.

“I am always keen to have a go at everything so while I was there I got stuck into the skittles and rode the train before I came across the frisbee stand.

“It was the first time I had tried it but I had a good few goes because I really enjoyed it.”

The keen golfer noticed some officials on hand to measure the length of the throws but thought nothing of it.

It was only when she received an email from the fun day organisers a few weeks after the event that she realised her efforts had entered her into the record books.

“I got an email saying I was a record breaker and I genuinely thought it was a wind up,” said councillor Martin.

“The official records are kept in America so the whole thing sounded even more far fetched and I couldn’t stop laughing.

“I am really rather proud of myself though.”

The distance has since been verified by the World Flying Disc Federation in America and 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,” said Councillor Martin, who excelled at swimming, hockey and athletics as a schoolgirl.

“I was certainly not dressed for it - I was wearing my ceremonial chain for a start which was a bit of a hindrance.

“But I’ve told the organisers I’ll be back next year and that I’ll beat my record - so I might have to have a sly practice in the mean time.