COURSE data from education provider SS&L has revealed the most popular hobbies for the residents of Wellington and Somerset.

Broken down across nine towns in Somerset, the results reveal that people in the area are a relaxed and healthy bunch, with the most popular courses including Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, the latter all ancient practices to improve health, fitness, well-being and longevity through slow and meditative movements. This is closely followed by languages, including French and Spanish.

Even more interesting is how the towns across the region differ in their tastes and hobbies. Frome residents may consider themselves ‘Top Potters’ with creative pottery and clay modelling proving popular, while the equally artistic in Wellington are keen on watercolours, painting and drawing, oil painting and art history.

The top leisure courses in Wellington: 1 Tai Chi and Qi Gong; 2 Watercolour Painting; 3 Art History – The Art of America; 4 Intermediate Painting and Drawing; 5 Painting and Drawing (all abilities); 6 Pilates; 7 Introduction to iPad/Androids; 8 Art History – Northern Renaissance Europe; 9 Oil Painting; 10 Spanish (Advanced).

The top leisure courses across Somerset: 1 Pilates; 2 Yoga; 3 Pottery; 4 Tai Chi and Qi Gong; 5 French (Advanced); 6 Watercolour painting; 7 Spanish (Beginners); 8 French (Intermediate); 9 Spanish (Intermediate); 10 Spanish (Improvers).

For more information on courses visit www.sslcic.co.uk