The BBC Living Longer Campaign

All this week (7-12 November) the BBC are conducting a campaign called Living Longer. There will be a week of programming on local radio, online and regional TV. If you are on Facebook you can find the BBC Living Longer page where all the news regarding this project is available.

In South Shropshire, due to the baby boom of the 1940s a record number of over 50s will become pensioners in 2012, while in the UK overall the numbers of over 85s are set to double by 2031. By 2033, over 65s will account for 41 per cent of the population in South Shropshire, the highest percentage apart from 43.1 per cent in West Somerset. Bridgenorth comes in at 36 per cent and Shropshire as a county is set to have a booming population of over 65s!

BBC Shropshire will be telling stories about older people in the county and there will be discussions on the effects on society generally of this booming older population.

The peaceful surroundings in Shropshire are conducive to a peaceful and productive retirement so it is not surprising that older people often want to move there in their latter years. Ronald and Ann Morgans who turned 74 this week moved to Little Stretton from Twickenham in London following their retirement. There they can relish the beautiful scenery of the Stretton Hills and benefit from the excellent medical practice nearby. Mr Morgans has a heart condition and had a pacemaker fitted. He is full of praise for the paramedics and nurses saying he is now "fit as a fiddle and as strong as a horse!"

There is no stopping 67-year-old John Bradley, president of Telford Athletics Club and also a successful pole vaulter. Mr Bradley had to give up his sporting love football and tried squash which did not suit him. He found his accolade in pole vaulting and has been European indoor champion for his age group.Pole vaulting is for him "one hell of a buzz" and he now plans to compete at world championship level!

Phyllis Jones at 81 is a busy and active woman. Her work is looking after pigs but her passion is for tap dancing and performing on stage.

"I've got rhythm and I just love it," said Phyllis proudly. It is lovely that numbers of older people are so lively and active but there needs to be good health and social provision in place for older people when they need it. These and similar issues are to be addressed in the BBC campaign.

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