There must be something in the water in West Dorset – there’s a mighty army of OAPs who keep on working and refuse to hang up their boots, working past retirement age.
With those in their 50s and early 60s now looking down the barrel of retirement at 67 and 68, maybe this is less surprising. Better healthcare, longer life expectancy, replacement joints – perhaps we had all better plan for a 70-year working life?
Of course, at the West Dorset Magazine we believe there is no finer example of an older member of staff than our very own Bob Holman, who turns 82 this month.
Quite simply, were it not for Bob’s amazing efforts in selling our advertising, the WDM would have long bitten the dust.
But Bob is not the only octogenarian or septuagenarian – or even nonagenarian – clocking on round here. When we asked, we were flooded with examples of people carrying on working into their dotage – you are an inspiring lot, you know.
Here are some examples.
Bob Holman
Bob, 82, of Affpuddle left a career in sales and enjoyed about 20 years of retirement before daughter Miranda dragged him back into work for this newspaper.
He worked for Canada Life for years, often topping the leaderboards in their salesforce.
Retirement saw him continuing to run Bere Regis Swimming Club, flower arranging, making a world record attempt (the oldest relay team to cross the Channel) and maintaining their half-acre garden.
He said: “I retired over 20 years ago after a 35-year career as an insurance consultant. I thought that was it as I already had plenty of hobbies and pursuits to keep me busy for ever. However, when Miranda and Karen started up the West Dorset Magazine and needed some help on advertising sales, I found myself slipping back into the selling mode to help their new business along.
“I must say I have enjoyed my time with the magazine as I love people and this is very much a people business. It never ceases to amaze me how much goes on in sleepy old Dorset and I get to meet some really interesting and friendly business owners. Long may it last!”
Vivienne Clarke
Taxi operator Damon Clarke of Damo’s Taxis put his mum Vivienne Clarke forward. His pride in her melted our hearts!
He said: “My mother went into labour in 1975 whilst working in The Horse With the Red Umbrella with her mother.
“Born and bred in Dorchester, my mum brought myself and my sister up in Dorchester and when we were both in school, as I’m sure many mothers did, went into pub work as the hours suited the school runs.
“She made her way very quickly through the ranks in pubs such as the Baker’s Arms, The Wise Man in West Stafford and ended up with her name above the door at The Royal Oak on High West Street.
“She was very much loved by all and opened the first gay bar in the cellar in the 90s. She won awards from the Pope family themselves until the inevitable sale of Eldridge Pope and the takeover of JD Wetherspoons.
“She went back to the Horse With the Red Umbrella not long after, where she has served as front of house (so to speak) for the previous two owners.
“Even when my father fell ill she still wouldn’t give up, as she’s such a sociable person resulting from those pub years.
“She told me last week that she’s finally ready to take a step back and start taking it easy after approximately 25 years back in the Umbrella and will officially retire in March next year at the age of 82. We’ll see!
“She’s been part of this town, living in the centre for so many years, with so many stories which include the ejection of a very famous rock star from the King’s Arms back in her very early days.”
Roger Clarke-Williams
Roger Clarke-Williams is still picture framing at The Chest of Drawers in Dorchester at the grand old age of 90.
He said: “I need to have something to do. You get on with it – you don’t want to sit on your backside.
“I started framing 30 years ago. I ran farm machinery businesses for Lott and Warne before retiring early.
“I always had an interest in picture framing, so I became a certified framer.”
Riff Tilbury
Riff Tilbury, 76, of Steptoes shoe shop in Bridport, said:
“We’ve been banging away at this business for 40 years now.
“And now our energy is up to full speed I don’t want to get off the bus. Use it or lose it, I say.
“I’m still out riding my horse regularly and gigging – I just keep going. I’m just a child that got old.”
Martin Ridley
Martin Ridley, 80, who runs St Michael’s Trading Estate in Bridport, said: “I need something to get me out of bed in the morning – people our age still want to achieve and do things.
“Three things get me out of bed – my commitment to keeping the estate moving, Somerset County Cricket Club, where I was most of last week and who I’ve supported for 40 years, and the challenge of ensuring my wife Kathy has everything she needs.”
Anne Roots
Anne Roots, 76, has worked at Nutley Farm for 25 years, and maintained a herd of reindeer there and a major Christmas attraction for the last six.
She said: “I look after the reindeer and the holiday lets and a farm with the other animals. My son does a huge Christmas event with reindeer to raise money for the air ambulance.
“I can’t see myself stopping – I’ve had major accidents and surgeries – last year I had my ankle put back together again. But I will never ever give up.”
Lindsey Howell
Lindsey Howell, 79, runs three massive events a year: Bryanston Summer Fair, Bryanston Christmas Fair and Canford Summer Fair.
She said: “I’ve just finished working with students at college and still invigilate on a regulatory basis but the main thing I still do is run three highly successful fairs a year with my son.
“It keeps my brain active, makes me feel younger and helps supplement my pension. This allows me to travel, appreciate my life and family and feel grateful every day.”
Doug Chalk
Doug Chalk is 81, and runs a market stall, selling his calendars of Colmers Hill. He said: “I am still loving what I do.
“Aged 16 I became an apprentice carpenter in Winchester, my home town.
“I was a member of maintenance team at Winchester College where I learned a lot about restoring older buildings, and have had a keen interest in that ever since, hence now living in a old coach house built in the 18th century known as London Inn, our home for the past 23 years.
“I’ve done many other work of interest as well as, photography, antique restoration, pine furniture stripping, scuba instructor with BSAC, hence moving here to Dorset.
“I still have a very keen interest in photography hence the Colmer’s Hill calendar for the past 15 years, and ongoing!”
Lois Pearson
Lois Pearson is 75 and a half and runs the Beaminster Festival – a huge undertaking, whatever your age.
She said: “I only signed up to the Beaminster Festival to hand out programmes at the door.
“I seemed to be stage manager from 2015, artistic director from 2018, and now director.
“I love the programming, trying to get a balance, both within the week and from year to year.
“The biggest thrill is to see performers on the Proms or hear them on the radio and know that they’ve performed for us.
“I’m also proud of increasing the number of local volunteers to around 90.
“I still do it at 75 because the tech side of setting up the ticketing, the website and brochure keeps my brain in trim. I still have to work on the body…”
Graham Evans
Graham Evans from Evans Plant Hire, is 82 and still running his successful plant hire business with his wife Pauline after 55 years in the trade.
Pauline, who is five years younger, does all the accounts and admin.
Graham said: “It helps pass the time – it’s something to do. You don’t want to sit at home watching TV all day.
“As long as you have your health you keep going – and we enjoy doing it. There’s always something to do.”
Catherine Maddocks
Catherine Maddocks runs Concerts in the West on a voluntary basis aged 76, despite officially retiring in 2016.
She said: “Many older people work hard as volunteers. I think this country would grind to a halt without volunteers.
“I am sure there are many others like me.
“It is so important to remain active and busy until you can no longer do things, which is a sad moment in anyone’s life.”