Osteopath is sailing away (From Penarth Times)

Osteopath is sailing away

ONE of Penarth's most popular osteopaths has retired after 35 years of service in the town.

Christopher Hancock will be leaving on June 18, after which he will go sailing around the world with his wife Geraldine.

His place will be taken by Jonathan and Philippa Slack, who have been working with Mr Hancock at the Bradenham Place-based centre - called Hancock and Slack - for the past nine months.

Mr Hancock, 28, said: "It's been an excellent time, and I've been very happy. When I started we were the only practice in South Wales dealing with osteopathy, but there are more now.

"The big change for me was osteopathy's recognition by the medical profession. I've established links with BUPA, where Jonathan is working two days a week."

Mr and Mrs Slack, who met while training at the British School of Osteopathy in London, originally come from Hereford and have a two-year-old daughter called Alexandra.

They were originally associates at a firm in Hereford but wanted to have their own practices.

Mr Slack, who lives in Llandough, said: "We will be continuing in the way Christopher has treated his patients. I treat more structurally, while Philippa does a lot of cranial osteopathy, dealing with children, though she does everything else as well.

Mr and Mrs Slack, who have been qualified for five years are registered with the Osteopathic Council.

Mr Slack said: "We've got a good relationship with local GPs and consultants and get lots of referrals from them."

Mrs Slack, 30, said: "We love it in Penarth, there's a good community spirit. We're here to stay for a long time."

The new centre will be called Penarth Osteopathic Practice and can be contacted on 2070 8350.