Debbie Malynn from Thereafter Funerals and Victoria Keen from Poppy’s Funerals.
What a joy it was - to see this Rebel Later Life: the ideas party come to life in the way that we had envisioned. Fun, lots of stimulating conversations, connections, useful information on pensions, funerals, later life care, co-housing, relationships, cronehood, dating after 50, Sandwich generation, making money from something you love…. all colliding in a beautiful way in one building. It was all much more than we could have imagined. And so many women going home with Hello Nancy Lemons was another uplift. We have been inundated with positive feedback. And the volunteer team looking after everyone were amazing.
One of the conversations that came out of the conference was about care - for your parents, or for yourself? Are you planning it? Are you having that conversation with loved ones? ‘By 2065, nearly half the UK population will be over 50. The question of what we owe our parents is no longer a future problem - and most families are not having the conversation they need to.’ the i-paper.
Actor Brian Blessed has managed make 90! Wowee. May he carry on long beyond..
Photo by Emil Poniente
Poet, accidental academic and cleaner, Cathi Rae, who chaired our Ageism and Words panel has some sparky words to say about getting older. ‘I will always be just a little bit punk ...
The fashion, politics and values were a huge part of my younger life and just because I'm in my 60s now doesn't mean they don't still inform how I live now.
Ageing doesn't mean we're not still passionate about all sorts of stuff.
Ageing doesn't mean that we're not still engaged and curious about the world.
Ageing doesn't mean that we've given up the stuff that gives our life value and excitement.
We are exactly the same vibrant and valid people as we were 10,20, 30 years ago.
There is a strange assumption that people become more right wing, more conservative as they get older but on Saturday I was in a building with over 200 older people who were all curious and angry and passionate about all sorts of stuff and it was living proof that age doesn't have to diminish our determination to make change.
And yes, I wore this outfit on Friday because as far as I know, shorts and tartan tights and an oversized men's suit jacket don't have age limits.
I hope that the 17 year old me would have been a little bit proud although in fairness she would probably have rolled her eyes.’
This was in the i-paper. I totally agree with Judy Dench. Ban the word retirement.
The costumed Tiger Lilies. Is anyone going to see them in London on Nov 1st for their Day of the Dead performance? The crazily wonderful performances. My son chose Hell as one of his Desert Island Discs recently for his 40th. I love Autumn Leaves.