0:00:02 > 0:00:03For the first time in Britain,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05there are more people over the age of 60
0:00:05 > 0:00:07than under 16...
0:00:08 > 0:00:09You're 83.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11100 years on this earth.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14We've got some amazing volunteers in their 80s and 90s.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17..but what does growing older mean for you?
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Difficult. Sometimes more than other types.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- I don't think you should be nervous about getting old.- Yeah.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24It's a wonderful state.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Our team is getting to the bottom of the key ageing concerns
0:00:27 > 0:00:29you've told us about...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Deciding when to retire...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35..being more sociable...
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..keeping healthy...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40..making your voice heard...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..or the cost of happiness -
0:00:42 > 0:00:46and even if you haven't yet reached your golden years,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48it's never too early to start planning.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50So, whether you're an old dog or a young pup,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52get ready to learn some new tricks
0:00:52 > 0:00:56as we lift the lid on Holding Back The Years.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Let's face it, getting older isn't everyone's cup of tea -
0:01:08 > 0:01:10but I've got some breaking news for you all.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12It's going to happen.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today, nearly 23% of the population is 60+.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20So how can we sweeten the brew? Well, there is one way.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22LIVELY 1920s JAZZ MUSIC
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Scientists have worked out that cheerfulness
0:01:27 > 0:01:30can actually affect our biological age,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and even have an effect on our life expectancy.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36That's right - the happier we are, the longer we live.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- It's champagne time!- Ooh!
0:01:39 > 0:01:42'So, in this episode, it's my mission to show you
0:01:42 > 0:01:45'some of the reasons to be cheerful about getting older...'
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- OK, you lot, have you all got your bus passes?- Yeah!- Come on.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'..and there's a very personal reason why I want to do this.'
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Now, I think you'll all agree that I'm a sunny side up type of guy.
0:02:01 > 0:02:02- Oh!- Oh!
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Yes, I like a good laugh...
0:02:04 > 0:02:06but this year I'm turning 60,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10and I'll be honest, I'm a little bit concerned about it.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12I mean, where has all that time gone?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Do you know, I have to say, there are so many questions in my mind,
0:02:18 > 0:02:23so many questions about whether I'm now officially old, you know?
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Will I act differently, will I behave differently?
0:02:26 > 0:02:30What have I got to gain, what have I got to lose?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33These type of questions, I think the only way of resolving them,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37actually, is to go out and meet people who've been there before.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40People who have become 60 or are older than 60 -
0:02:40 > 0:02:43and maybe I'm looking for some reassurances.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45BIG BAND MUSIC
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Thankfully, there are lots of happy pensioners out there
0:02:50 > 0:02:51for me to get talking to.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58In fact, some surveys show that over 60s are twice as likely
0:02:58 > 0:03:00to be happy than any other age group.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04And why not?
0:03:04 > 0:03:06We are, after all, the baby boomer generation,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08who've enjoyed the sort of life
0:03:08 > 0:03:10our parents and grandparents only dreamed of.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15So are we really ready for our pipe and slippers just yet?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Well, I just want to find out
0:03:19 > 0:03:23by hearing from those who, when it comes to turning 60,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25have been there and done that.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29And I know one place they all hang out - on the buses.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Now, to be honest,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I don't get my official bus pass for the next few months yet,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37but I've got the next best thing - I've got my own bus for the day.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Ever since the Second World War,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45pensioners have been riding Britain's buses for free,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47thanks to their bus passes.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49To get around town...
0:03:49 > 0:03:52or transport them on jolly outings to the coast -
0:03:52 > 0:03:53like these guys.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00And nothing says London more than the old Routemaster,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03which itself recently turned 60 years of age...
0:04:04 > 0:04:06..although it's had a bit of a face-lift.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Hello, mate, how you doing?
0:04:10 > 0:04:13'In fact, it's almost looking as good as 68-year-old Bob,
0:04:13 > 0:04:14'who drives it.'
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- So, Bob, tell me, how old are you? - I'm now 68.- Yeah?- Only!
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Yeah, only! You're looking fantastic.- Thank you very much.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- How long have you been doing this job?- Er, now, 42 years, sir.- Wow!
0:04:26 > 0:04:27- 42 years.- And still love it, eh?
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- And still enjoy driving that bus. - Mm.- Good job.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32- Good job.- Good job.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Now, this is a special bus for driving, though, innit?
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Yes, it is. Very special one, and it's the only one of its kind.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- The last of the Routemaster, which is this one...- Mm-hm.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Although the livery spans back some hundred years ago,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48but it's basically the same bus,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- only it's a modern version of it. - Wow.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- It's got the same charismatic look of it.- Yeah.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56When you go to the rear of the bus,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- you got the glass and the curve of the original Routemaster.- Mm.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01It's got all that.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03So, Bob, you drive buses every day -
0:05:03 > 0:05:05do you think they're very helpful for older people?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Yes, they're invaluable - that's another word we hear.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10They're invaluable for older people to be able to get around
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- anywhere where they want to go. - Mm.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14And they're getting more and more used every day, now.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Fantastic.- Pick up more people -
0:05:16 > 0:05:18every time, when they get on with their bus pass, nice little smile,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- I give them a nice little smile. - I'm getting one of them soon!
0:05:21 > 0:05:24You get one as well, and I'll give you a nice little smile.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28But it's the over 60-year-old bus pass passengers
0:05:28 > 0:05:30I really want to speak to now...
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- OK, you lot, you all got your bus passes?- Yeah!- Come on, then.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Let's have you.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35'..so I can get their tips
0:05:35 > 0:05:38'on how reaching 60 is actually a good thing.'
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Pleasure. Lovely to have your company.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42Come on, come on, come on.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45This is a special bus we've got for you today.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47'Ello, 'ello, 'ello!
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Official bus passers - how are you doing?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52All right, just one thing I want to check -
0:05:52 > 0:05:54has everybody got their bus pass with them?
0:05:54 > 0:05:55- ALL:- Yes! - Beautiful -
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and looking forward to having lots of lovely chats with you,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02and finding out all about your wonderful over-60s adventures.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08OK, well, let's do this, shall we?
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Ooh, hello, how are you?
0:06:09 > 0:06:10I'm all right, thank you.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- It's nice being on a bus, isn't it? - Yes, always.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Fantastic. I'm Ainsley. Your name is...?- Richard.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16- Richard, welcome.- Thank you.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Now, Richard, I'm 59 years old - how old are you?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- 77.- Wow. 77.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25So, have I got something to look forward to?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Because, you know, people say,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29"Oh, you get to 60, you're getting old,"
0:06:29 > 0:06:31I still feel quite young and feel quite...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33No, that was the case 50 years ago,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- but now, 60 is the new 40, or something.- Oh, really?!
0:06:36 > 0:06:37Or something like that.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- So I have got something to look forward to!- Yes.- Yeah?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44HE CHUCKLES IN VOICEOVER 'And you know what? He's right.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46'Researchers are even going as far as to say
0:06:46 > 0:06:51'that, in terms of life expectancy, 60 will soon be part of middle age -
0:06:51 > 0:06:54'which I'm sure Bob is glad to hear, too.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57'But it's the message I'm about to hear next
0:06:57 > 0:06:58'that really resonates with me.'
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Hello. Now, who do we have here?
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- Sue.- Hello, Sue. Ainsley. And?- Mary.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Mary. Now, you don't mind me asking, how old are you both?
0:07:08 > 0:07:09- I'm 71.- Mm-hm.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10And I'm 67.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- I'm coming up to 60.- Right. - Bit concerned.- Right.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- So have I got anything... - No.- ..to be concerned about?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- No, it's great fun being older. - Wonderful.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23No going to work, and freedom. It's lovely.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- So what's the biggest thing? - You get a life.- Yes.
0:07:26 > 0:07:32So, you can be spontaneous, you don't have to live to a diary.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- Mm-hm.- Oh, it's just great fun.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40"Great fun"? That's exactly the message I wanted to hear!
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Do you know what?
0:07:44 > 0:07:47This has been a really interesting experience,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49speaking to people like that
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and talking about the idea of becoming 60, you know?
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Whether it's me or anybody else.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57I think there are some real encouraging thoughts there,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00real positive vibes, and...
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Yeah, I'm ready.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Are you?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I was born in 1957,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13and did most of my growing up here in Wandsworth, South London.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17What a time that was to be young -
0:08:17 > 0:08:20when the '60s were going pop with music, colour,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and all sorts of new people bringing their food and culture
0:08:23 > 0:08:25to the streets of Great Britain.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- ARCHIVE:- Let's go shopping, Caribbean style.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32For the unfeeling husband who constantly complains,
0:08:32 > 0:08:33"Can't we have something different?"
0:08:33 > 0:08:36here you can buy sweet potatoes, okra, chow-chow,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38sweetcorn and mangoes.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Just to think back on those times makes me feel young at heart.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45I certainly got into the swing of things with my buddy, Mike -
0:08:45 > 0:08:46nice fashion, eh?
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I'm a little bit apprehensive about this, Mike.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54'We're meeting up today to reminisce about the good old days
0:08:54 > 0:08:58'because, get this, psychologists say it might be good for us.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03'Apparently, when we engage in a bit of good old-fashioned nostalgia,
0:09:03 > 0:09:08'it increases our overall sense of mental vitality and energy levels.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12'Wow! In other words, looking back helps us stay young.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13'Of course, these days,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16'a walk down memory lane is often "I can't remember" lane.'
0:09:16 > 0:09:18I'm sure this is where they used to come, and...
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- There was a little Asian restaurant there.- No, no.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23There was an Asian restaurant there, there was the United Dairies -
0:09:23 > 0:09:24all the milk bottles used to be stood outside.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Yeah.- Can you remember that?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30'But nowhere gets me more nostalgic than our old childhood street,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34'where, already, the memory of good times are bouncing back.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Now, what about this, Mike? This was the old tennis wall.- Oh, my gosh.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- That was the net. - And can you remember, we had...
0:09:40 > 0:09:42We put a chalk line in the road, there,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46and you had to get the ball - you had to hit the ball on the wall,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48and it had to go past the chalk line,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50and if it didn't, you lost the points.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52I think we were about, what, eight or nine?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57'But this is where I was actually young - the house where I grew up.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00'It's been over 40 years since I've been back,
0:10:00 > 0:10:01'so I'm quite nervous -
0:10:01 > 0:10:04'but the old house looks in good nick.'
0:10:11 > 0:10:12- Hello!- All right, guys, how are you doing?
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- How are you doing? - You all right?- Ainsley.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- This is Mike.- Glad to meet you. - How are you?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Pleased to meet you.- How are you? - I'm good, thank you.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- What's your name?- Elvie. - Come on through.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Oh, my word, look at this kitchen. Look how different this is.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25How far back are we going?
0:10:25 > 0:10:26It was 50 years ago!
0:10:26 > 0:10:28I know it was 50 years ago, but when we came here,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31there were some steps over there that went down to the kitchen -
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I can just see my mum down there, preparing the food now.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Mike, look at this.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Wow, Mike, look at this.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43This used to my bedroom - but look at that, eh?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Do you remember, a bit of Scalextric over there?
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- We used to play Scalextric.- Yeah!
0:10:47 > 0:10:49We had it all the way, almost, around the room.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- Yeah.- Obviously, the room is much bigger now.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- You'd go and get another bit of track...- That's right, yeah!
0:10:53 > 0:10:54..and extend it, extend it, extend it,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and you'd have to step over everything, like this.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Do you remember?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Hey, Mike, look at this.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02This is so much bigger than it was when we were here, wasn't it?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04They're obviously doing building work.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Yeah, I can see that - but there was...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08remember the apple tree, there, we used to play cricket against it?
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- That was our wicket, the apple tree, wasn't it?- It was!
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Do you remember, once, we thought, "Let's camp out here,"
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and it got about nine o'clock, and we were too scared -
0:11:17 > 0:11:21we saw a fox and we came back into the house! Can you remember that?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24We ran in! "Mum, mum, we're not going to do that no more."
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Oh, I love that.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27'Now, as you can probably see,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30'I haven't stopped smiling since I got here -
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'so maybe there is something in what psychologists say
0:11:33 > 0:11:36'about it helping us hold back the years.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38'Ultimately, of course,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40'it's the people who make the biggest impression,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43'and so Mike and I are having a sit down
0:11:43 > 0:11:45'to look through an old memory box.'
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Remember how they used to dress up?
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- Hey, Mike, look at my mum. What does she look like there?- Yeah.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53- So glamorous.- Flock wallpaper!
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- And the piano in the corner. - That's the...
0:11:55 > 0:12:00- The fireplace - the '60s fireplace! - With the bars.- Yeah.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03And mum would only let us have it on one electric bar.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Because it was so expensive to heat. - So expensive.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08And I used to put it on three!
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- My dad.- Oh. What a handsome fellow.- Yeah.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- What age would your dad have been then?- Oh, I don't know, Mike.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Let's have a look.- That's obviously on the stage, isn't it?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18"Dad at the piano." I don't know.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22That's my grandmother, on my mother's side.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Did you ever meet her? - No, she died...
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I think my mum was the age of four.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Probably in her 20s, there. Looks so much like my mum.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34My grandparents - these are my grandparents, here.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38That's Mina Love and Oscar, from my father's side.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Gosh, and what age would Oscar have been?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Oh...- He looks in his 90s there.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Well, I don't think so, you know?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I think he's probably just in his late 60s there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Not far from where we are now!
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'Being in the old house and looking through these old photos
0:12:53 > 0:12:56'makes me nostalgic for the past -
0:12:56 > 0:12:57'But, you know, it's also a reminder
0:12:57 > 0:13:00'of how blessed we should feel to be old today.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'There's absolutely no doubt that most of us have
0:13:03 > 0:13:07'a much better quality of life than our parents or grandparents -
0:13:07 > 0:13:09'a fact made possible by better pensions
0:13:09 > 0:13:12'and vastly improved health care.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14'So, although I love looking back,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18'it makes me even more appreciative of all we have today.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20'That said, it's good to be reminded
0:13:20 > 0:13:22'that while the world may have changed,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25'I've stayed the same on the inside -
0:13:25 > 0:13:27'and I have proof.'
0:13:27 > 0:13:28Honeywell Primary School!
0:13:28 > 0:13:31'Yes, it's one of my old school reports.'
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Read the first line.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37"Ainsley has a great sense of humour and enjoys the drama of situations"!
0:13:37 > 0:13:41- Enough, enough!- OK.- I'm not letting you read any more.- Wow.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42'Well, that was lovely -
0:13:42 > 0:13:45'and makes me realise that, as I prepare to turn 60,
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'I can draw on these memories for strength and encouragement -
0:13:49 > 0:13:52'and, if it helps my general wellbeing, as the boffins say,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54'then that's great, too.'
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Take care.- Brilliant. - See you, mate.- Take care. Bye.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Now, I guess one fear people have about reaching 60
0:14:04 > 0:14:07is that old age might be a bit...boring.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Well, back on the bus, Rose is putting me right on that.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15I've never been so busy.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Retirement's actually quite hard work.- Mm.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I got a lot of interests, and a lot on, you know?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I walk regularly with ramblers,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27I swim about a mile and a half a week, I do family history...
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Um...
0:14:29 > 0:14:31You name it, I do it.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35So there is something to look forward to when you turn 60!
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Ha!
0:14:36 > 0:14:38And, it turns out I'm not the only one on board
0:14:38 > 0:14:41celebrating a big birthday round here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Lovely! Hello, how are you?- Hello. - Hello.- I'm Ainsley, and you're...?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Ricky.- Ricky and...? - Lillian.- Lillian.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Now, I'm 59 years old.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50How old are you guys?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- I'm 85.- 85!
0:14:52 > 0:14:53In four weeks' time!
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Oh, what about you, Lillian? - Same.- Really?
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- No, not four weeks' time, but... - She already is.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Oh, that's extraordinary!
0:15:00 > 0:15:03So what was it like for you guys, then, when you turned 60?
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Can you remember that feeling?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I remember the day.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11And the party that I didn't know I was going to have,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and thinking "60?!
0:15:14 > 0:15:15"I don't do 60."
0:15:16 > 0:15:19And then I felt the same at 70, and then at 80.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- Oh, wow!- And I'm hoping to feel the same at 90 and 100.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Well, you're as old as you feel, they say.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28And it turns out that's true as well,
0:15:28 > 0:15:32according to a study by the University College London,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34who worked out that those who feel younger
0:15:34 > 0:15:36actually stay alive longer.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, if I'm going to be as busy as my fellow bus passengers,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and get all those activities in,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47then I'm going to need quite a few more years after 60.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49POP!
0:15:49 > 0:15:50But do you know what?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Chances are, according to stats,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55we might have loads more years left once we retire.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Life expectancy today is an incredible 85 for women.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02GRUNTS
0:16:02 > 0:16:03Bash! Bash!
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Oh, look at them legs!
0:16:05 > 0:16:07And 82 for men.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12That's compared to less than 60 before the Second World War.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15But how do you get to live into your very old age?
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Well, I'm going to find out from a woman who's been there and done it.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Mum, this is Ainsley.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Oh!- This is my mum, Helen. - How are you?!- Helen!
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- How are you?- Nice to see you. - Lovely to meet you, too.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Lovely to meet you.- Do have a chair. There we are.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Oh, thank you very much.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Helen Clare was born in Bradford in November 1916
0:16:36 > 0:16:38in the middle of the First World War.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41It was during the Second World War, however,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45that she became a real household name, on BBC Radio,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50and a touring star for British troops stationed all over the world.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Today, she's 100 years young.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54But if you don't believe me...
0:16:54 > 0:16:58This is 29th November 1916.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02So in one hand I've got this,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05this is the birth certificate of Helen.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07And then, in the other hand...
0:17:08 > 0:17:09SHE CHUCKLES
0:17:09 > 0:17:12..I've got a birthday card from the Queen.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14100 years on this Earth.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16That is remarkable!
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Can I read it out?- Of course.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23"I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your 100th birthday.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26"I send my congratulations and best wishes to you
0:17:26 > 0:17:29"on such a special occasion."
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Of course, turning 100 used to be a slightly bigger deal
0:17:36 > 0:17:37than it is now...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40..even making national and international news,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42back in the day.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45It's always been a cause of great celebration.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48"It's never too late to ascend" might be the motto
0:17:48 > 0:17:50of Mrs Hannah Kettlewell,
0:17:50 > 0:17:51who is celebrating her 102nd birthday
0:17:51 > 0:17:53by having her first joy flip.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56There she goes, on a flight she's waited for for over 100 years.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59But the first 100 years are always the worst.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02And reporters have always turned up,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04to see what lessons can be learned.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Well, sir, you've reached a very great age.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09How do you feel about it all?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I can't believe it, myself.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14What with all this fuss made about me.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15I don't feel old.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Out of the many scientific discoveries,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21which ones do you think have been the most useful to you?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Television,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and the electric blanket.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Throughout the decades,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30the number of centenarians has soared,
0:18:30 > 0:18:34creating some real national treasures along the way.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40At last count, there are over 14,000 over the age of 100 in the UK.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43That's an incredible four times what it was
0:18:43 > 0:18:44just over 30 years ago.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48But it's those little moments I'm interested in,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and, boy, has Helen had some of those.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53SHE LAUGHS
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- This is amazing. This takes you back a bit, doesn't it?- It does.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58That was in Weston-Super-Mare.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04And I was staying in the hotel there one night.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09We heard a plane coming, and we rushed into the garden to see...
0:19:10 > 0:19:13..and we got ourselves machine-gunned!
0:19:13 > 0:19:14You got what?!
0:19:14 > 0:19:17LAUGHTER
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- He missed.- Oh, he missed! He missed!
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Oh, wow!
0:19:21 > 0:19:26I have to say, wonderfully elegant there. Wonderfully elegant.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29That was taken after the war.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33It was lovely to have lights on, and...
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Mind you, for a long time, you know, after the war,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39we were still on rations and...
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- ..life was still a bit difficult. - Sure, sure.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45But it was lovely to think
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- we weren't being chased up the road with the dive-bomb.- Yeah.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54'But of course, in Helen's long life, there has been lows, too.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57'Like losing her husband, Frederick, 22 years ago.'
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Yes, I miss him tremendously.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03And probably always will.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Oh, but there's some lovely photographs of him all over here.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- Oh, yes, yes.- Handsome man. - He was.- Wow, look at that, eh?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- But he was a wonderful musician.- Mm-hm.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It's fair to say that Helen is an inspiration.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22She is living proof that you can be happy in old age
0:20:22 > 0:20:24by being a true survivor.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26But what's the secret of getting to 100?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Well, there isn't a secret, you just...
0:20:30 > 0:20:33You have to be interested in things.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37You have to not just have your little circle,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41you've got to be interested in what's happening in the world and...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44what's happening in business,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47and...just keep your interests going.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- Yeah.- And keep your sense of enjoyment going.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Just be positive?- Yeah.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55And that's the secret, is it?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Well, if there is one, yes.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'So what can we take away from meeting Helen?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03'Well, at 60 it would seem that chances are
0:21:03 > 0:21:07'we still have plenty of years and life left in us.'
0:21:08 > 0:21:11'But I've one last surprise for her before I go.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15'It's a very rare recording of her singing in 1937.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19'Now, if this doesn't put a smile on your face, nothing will.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21'Take it away, Helen.'
0:21:23 > 0:21:27SHE SINGS: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off by Louis Armstrong
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I tell you what, you've had the most extraordinary life.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56So there's one favour I'd love to ask you.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Will you have a date with me? - Oh, yes.- Oh...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Didn't have to ask much, did I? Didn't even have to cook you dinner.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05THEY LAUGH
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- I'll come and see you later.- OK.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Do you know what? That was truly inspirational.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17To think that I might have another 40 years left in the tank.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I tell you what, that woman has really given me a zest for life.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I think I might plan a bit of a party.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Now, you might be thinking that I've hand-picked all these happy folks
0:22:29 > 0:22:31just for the sake of telly, but you'd be wrong,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33because, as I mentioned earlier,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36according to the Office Of National Statistics,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41those aged 65 and 79 are the happiest adults in our society.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And that's certainly the view of the couple I'm meeting next.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46Back on the bus.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- And who've we got here? This is...?- Ken.- And...?- Beryl.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- Beryl, how are you? - I'm fine.- Yeah? Lovely!
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Lovely to have you come along and join me on my bus, today.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00So tell me, should I be worried about turning 60, then?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- Oh...- I don't think so. Your title is Holding Back The Years.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I think you want to encourage the years, not hold them back.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08LAUGHTER
0:23:08 > 0:23:11OK, time for the next stop on my journey.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12And for this one,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14I'm going to need a little bit of calypso feel.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16CARIBBEAN VIBES
0:23:17 > 0:23:20I think it's fair to say that we Caribbean Brits
0:23:20 > 0:23:23know a little bit about having fun...
0:23:23 > 0:23:25like the famous Notting Hill Carnival.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29We even like to have a good time at church.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
0:23:31 > 0:23:32What can I say?
0:23:32 > 0:23:35It's all about a love of life and being happy.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I even started my own career with calypso.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Well, sort of.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Check out the shorts!
0:23:43 > 0:23:45In my experience,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47this sense of fun doesn't diminish with age,
0:23:47 > 0:23:52and my theory is that if I can find a bunch of older people in one place
0:23:52 > 0:23:54then they will all give us some really top tips,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57on how to live long and happy lives.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So I popped off the bus here, at Tooting,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and made my way to what on the outside, at least,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05looks like a rather run-of-the-mill exterior.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Hey, don't be fooled.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Now this might look like an ordinary semidetached house
0:24:11 > 0:24:12in Tooting Broadway, but in fact,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14behind this door is a group of people
0:24:14 > 0:24:17who have found their own way of holding back the years.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20MUSIC: Jump In The Line by Harry Belafonte
0:24:20 > 0:24:23This place is jam-packed with OAPs,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25and they are having the time of their lives.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Move those hips!
0:24:31 > 0:24:34If I'm going to find some reason to be cheerful about turning 60,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37I tell you what, then it's right here.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41So I start by asking manager Sarah makes it so special.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46We have loads of activities going on, so we have t'ai chi,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48dance, dominoes, Scrabble...
0:24:48 > 0:24:50And it does it vary, the age group?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54From 60 to about 94.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- Wow!- Yeah. 60 to 94. Yeah.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Is it a nice environment to work in?
0:24:59 > 0:25:00It is amazing to work in,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04cos I just kind of see everybody together, it's just kind of like
0:25:04 > 0:25:08a strong bond, like a strong family, everyone looking out for each other.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Yeah, but it's quite sort of... if you like, Afro-Caribbean,
0:25:11 > 0:25:12that's the feel here,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15but you encourage from any background to come?
0:25:15 > 0:25:16Yeah, we just...
0:25:16 > 0:25:19We just reflect the type of people that live in the borough,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22but anybody is able to come here, we...
0:25:22 > 0:25:25We welcome anyone from any type of cultural background.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28OK. Time to get involved.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33So hopefully I can pick up some tips about how to hold back the years.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36You might want to take some notes yourself!
0:25:36 > 0:25:37Now, in my experience,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40if you want to get some Caribbean words of wisdom
0:25:40 > 0:25:42then go straight to the dominoes table,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44where I'm joining Eric, William,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Winston, and his lovely lady, Vivian.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Yeah, how are you doing, all right? - All right, thank you.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Very well.- Good. Who's winning?
0:25:52 > 0:25:53Well, we are all winning!
0:25:53 > 0:25:55LAUGHTER
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Oh, lovely.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Now, I'm coming up for 60 quite soon.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So is anything one should be looking for?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04Is there anything that I'm looking forward to?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Because some people are quite apprehensive, aren't they?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08They get a little bit nervous about it.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- I don't think you should be nervous about getting old.- Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- It's a wonderful state.- Yeah.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Because what it does mean is that you can now begin
0:26:18 > 0:26:21to learn from your experiences, your past experience.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Wahey!
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Most of us, when we get to 60,
0:26:26 > 0:26:28we think it's some sort of watershed,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31and therefore we're going to go downhill.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- I can tell you that life begins at 60.- Wow!
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Hey... Do you agree with that?- Yes.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Life began for you at 60? What turned you?
0:26:41 > 0:26:45What made it magical for you? What's her name? Tell me?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47LAUGHTER
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- Right in front of me!- Ohh!
0:26:49 > 0:26:52THEY ALL CHUCKLE
0:26:52 > 0:26:53A wife!
0:26:53 > 0:26:56# You can go to France or America
0:26:56 > 0:27:00# India, Asia or Australia But you must come back. #
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I think one of the reasons Caribbean Brits have this positive attitude
0:27:03 > 0:27:06to life is because of their background.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Remember, most of the people here
0:27:08 > 0:27:10would have been part of the Windrush Generation.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13In their time, they faced challenges and difficulties,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16all of which have had to be overcome.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18They've even put it to song.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20# I am a bold West Indian
0:27:20 > 0:27:23# And I went to seek my fortune in England
0:27:23 > 0:27:26# But when I landed in London
0:27:26 > 0:27:28# I just could not understand
0:27:28 > 0:27:31# I found the place very disappointing, Lord
0:27:31 > 0:27:33# Yes, the sight was frightening
0:27:33 > 0:27:36# And buildings were so dismal and so old
0:27:36 > 0:27:39# Yes, brother, England was cold, Lord! #
0:27:39 > 0:27:40AINSLEY CHUCKLES
0:27:40 > 0:27:44But they say out of tough times comes an enduring sense of community
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and great spirit. And that's definitely the case with Eric.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- I came from Jamaica...- Uh-huh.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- ..62 years ago.- Wow.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56So this was the beginning of my learning curve,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01and I remember arriving at Waterloo from Southampton,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03getting in a taxi,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05and riding over Waterloo Bridge,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09and bursting into tears of emotion because I didn't think I,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12who knew about Waterloo Bridge from the cinema,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16would be actually riding in a taxi in the dark
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- in the fog, going to Hackney.- That's very sentimental, that's lovely.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- Well, yes, it might be, but it was a nice thing....- Brings you back.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It took me back to those times.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Right, time to get back to the party.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30And I don't know what I've let myself in for.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Me singing?!
0:28:32 > 0:28:34I don't know about that! LAUGHTER
0:28:34 > 0:28:36That'll be something else.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39# He's got you and me, brother
0:28:39 > 0:28:40# In his hands
0:28:40 > 0:28:43# He's got the whole world in his hands. #
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Whoo! Fabulous! APPLAUSE
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Now, when it comes to happiness,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52it's been proven that food is as important an ingredient as any.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58In particular, eating food we associate with our past
0:28:58 > 0:29:00can trigger pleasure centres,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02and in the case of a place like this,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05that means a dish from the old country.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Something smells good in the kitchen!
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- Hi, Ainsley. - Hey, Val, how are you?
0:29:12 > 0:29:1464-year-old Val is the cook, and I'm about to discover
0:29:14 > 0:29:17that you're never too old to learn some new tricks.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19What have you got cooking here, then?
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Well, we've got curried chicken today.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Can I have a little dig around there?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- Not too deep, I don't want you to mash it up.- No, I won't mash it up.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Look at... Look at that!
0:29:27 > 0:29:29That is amazing, isn't it?
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- Oh, that smells beautiful. - Thank you.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Are you going to get me working now? - Yes. Can you do the peppers for me?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- I've got to chop up the peppers, have I?- Yes, thank you.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44There's no such thing as a free lunch around here, is there?
0:29:44 > 0:29:45Eh? I tell you.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49All right then, my love.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51# Oh, Val. #
0:29:51 > 0:29:53- Not too tight, darling.- OK, Ainsley!
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- Is that all right? - That's perfectly all right.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59How long have you been doing this for, then?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- Well, I've been working here for 25 years.- Oh, wow.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- So you see a lot of people come and go?- Yeah, come and go.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08And what...what gives you the satisfaction, then?
0:30:08 > 0:30:10What do you get out of it?
0:30:10 > 0:30:11It's like working...
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Well, my parents are in Jamaica,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- so it's, like, I've got aunties, uncles, like...- Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- It's like family, then, for you? - Like family, yes.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Are you going to be here for another 25 years?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25No, I'm retiring in about two and a half years.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Yeah, what are you going to do then?
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- Relax.- Relax?
0:30:28 > 0:30:30You're probably going to come back to the centre
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- and let somebody else do it! - I'll come and watch the cooking!
0:30:34 > 0:30:36'But of course there's a serious point
0:30:36 > 0:30:38'to senior citizens getting a good meal too.'
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Chicken or fish next?
0:30:41 > 0:30:43'According to the Department of Health,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46'there are over one million older people who suffer from malnutrition,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50'which affects their immune system, and therefore life expectancy.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55'Places like this make sure everyone here is well-fed.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57'Now, if I can only find out who ordered the fish.'
0:30:57 > 0:31:01You're sending me into a whirlwind, you lot!
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Thank you very much, Valerie.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Thank you.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- Can I join you here?- Yeah, man. - Is that all right? Lovely.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Oh, dear, I've done all my...
0:31:11 > 0:31:15done all my waitressing and stuff like that.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- How are you all?- Not bad.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20- Yeah, you enjoying your food? - Yeah, man.- Yeah?
0:31:20 > 0:31:22'Now, after all that graft,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25'it's time for a nice sit-down with a lovely plate of grub,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28'which of course is another great thing about getting older -
0:31:28 > 0:31:31'you have time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life,
0:31:31 > 0:31:32'to take things in
0:31:32 > 0:31:35'and even to get a little bit philosophical,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37'like my dining partner, Keith.'
0:31:37 > 0:31:43- West Indians especially tend to turn to the church...- Mm-hm.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- ..to serve God after they get to 60...- Right.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51..because they fear they are going the other way.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Ah, so you feel if you want to go to heaven,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- you have to repent?- Yeah. - Is that what it is?- Yeah.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Chicken or fish?
0:31:59 > 0:32:01You go through that period of 60s -
0:32:01 > 0:32:05you're still working and stuff like that. How do you relax now?
0:32:05 > 0:32:11- What do you do?- Well, I retired early, at 55.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13Any regrets?
0:32:13 > 0:32:14- No.- No?
0:32:14 > 0:32:16I even got myself a new wife.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Oh, really?! HIS WIFE LAUGHS
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Yeah. Lolita.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26- So, that's why you went to church! - Yeah!
0:32:26 > 0:32:30'I say, it's getting all a bit fruity around here,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32'isn't it, all of a sudden?'
0:32:32 > 0:32:36What have you engaged in, in your sort of later years,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38that has given you immense satisfaction?
0:32:38 > 0:32:39Singing, number one.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43- Singing?- Singing, not swinging. - Yeah.- Singing.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Yeah, and do you...?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Tried to catch me, this guy.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Look, I can't imagine you being a swinger, love, no! But...
0:32:52 > 0:32:55'Goodness gracious! Has someone spiked the old drinks?'
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Now, after having all that fun, I'm a bit exhausted,
0:33:00 > 0:33:04so I've come out to the centre's chill-out zone - the indoor garden.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06The good news is that they say gardeners live longer,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09so maybe I can pick up a few tips on how to hold back the years,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11even in here.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Lolita and 86-year-old Mary are my green-fingered guides.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17How long have you been doing this for, Mare?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- 29 years.- You're joking!
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Where does your passion come from?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- Love.- Love?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25Love, green-fingered love!
0:33:25 > 0:33:28But the good thing about gardening is that you're never finished,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30because, you know, the next day it needs doing again.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I also do a neighbour's garden who's not able to do hers,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36and to me it's not a chore, it's something to love...
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- I love doing and I look forward to doing.- Yeah.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- Whilst you can still do it of course, yeah.- While I can.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Even though you might get a little ache afterwards,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- that's nothing.- That's OK, yeah.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46But then I spend about four or five hours in the garden...
0:33:46 > 0:33:48- Yeah, yeah, yeah.- ..every day!
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- And this...- What?- This is... What do you call this, Ainsley?
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- That's another plant, isn't it? - There's two types of them.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56So, Mary, what do you think?
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Do you think I should find my recreation and passion
0:33:59 > 0:34:01in retirement in the garden?
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- That is if you love gardening and you want to do it.- Yeah.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Because if you don't want to do it
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and you're doing it because somebody else is doing it,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- that's no good. - That's no good at all.- No.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- It's got to... You've got to feel it in your soul.- Exactly.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I'm feeling it in my soul. Come on, give me that watering can.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- Yeah.- Where shall I start, then?
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- Do a bit of pruning? - Do a bit of pruning, my dear,
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- just above the dead leaves.- Yeah.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26'Of course, it's not just West Indians
0:34:26 > 0:34:28'who have pensioner centres like these.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30'They're all over the country -
0:34:30 > 0:34:32'run by the council, the church, charities
0:34:32 > 0:34:35'or merely the local community itself.'
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Two and five, 25.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39'And what unites them all,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42'no matter what the ethnic, religious or social make-up of them,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45'is a desire for older people to come together
0:34:45 > 0:34:47'to provide happiness in old age.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50'There's probably one near you, too.'
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Come on, then, we'll just have a hug instead.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58'So, before I go, I just have one final thing to say to Sarah.'
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Being a local person myself, you know,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02I think that places like this centre
0:35:02 > 0:35:05are just so, so vital for the community,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08because I see around, even as I walk around the streets,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10you see people who are...
0:35:10 > 0:35:12you kind of just detect that they're a little bit lonely,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15and places like this need to exist.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19- Yeah.- And more important, people need to know that they're here.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21- Thank you. Thank you and the staff and everybody for that.- Aw-w.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Thank you, yeah. It's a pleasure.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32'It's pretty clear to me now that having things to be positive about
0:35:32 > 0:35:36'and excited for is key to holding back the years,
0:35:36 > 0:35:37'which brings me to something
0:35:37 > 0:35:41'I've been looking forward to all day - my date with Helen.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47'The bus is dropping me off at the Central London hotel,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50'where she first sang way back in 1936.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53'I've arranged for a very special treat in her honour.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57'First, though, I'd better make myself look presentable.'
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Do you know, Helen has a real zest for life
0:36:01 > 0:36:04and I've arranged a little party for her that I hope
0:36:04 > 0:36:06is going to reflect that.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Ah, there you go.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Let's go get her.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- Oh, aye! Hello, Helen! - Oh!- What do you think?
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- You look fantastic! - Oh, thank you, thank you.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25Now, I would never have been able to arrange this date without
0:36:25 > 0:36:29the help of the general manager here of the Grosvenor House Hotel.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- Oh!- This is Stuart. Stuart.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Helen, it's an absolute honour and a privilege to welcome you back.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- It's been nearly 80 years since you last sung here.- Thank you.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40On behalf of the team, many congratulations.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- Oh! They're beautiful!- Our pleasure. - Oh, they're lovely!
0:36:44 > 0:36:48'Now, this might be a date but I've also invited some others along.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53'They're far from gooseberries - they're Helen's family and friends.'
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Now... This is lovely.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02You actually performed here in this very room 71 years ago -
0:37:02 > 0:37:05you sang in this room - your first gig in London,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08so we thought we'd get a fabulous '30s band,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- the Alex Mendham Band, orchestra... - Oh, wonderful!
0:37:11 > 0:37:14- ..to play a little bit of something for you.- That's marvellous!
0:37:14 > 0:37:15- Take it away, guys.- Ah!
0:37:15 > 0:37:20# Happy birthday to you
0:37:20 > 0:37:26# Happy birthday to you
0:37:26 > 0:37:32# Happy birthday, dear Helen
0:37:32 > 0:37:39# Happy birthday to you. #
0:37:39 > 0:37:42APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:37:44 > 0:37:50And here we are, Helen. Hey, guys. Everyone seated. Look at that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I've got a lovely cake over there for you, and it says,
0:37:53 > 0:37:58"Helen, happy birthday, 100 years and three weeks."
0:37:58 > 0:38:01And each candle - there's ten candles -
0:38:01 > 0:38:03each candle for each decade.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Eh? How about that? Everybody going to help blow it out? Ready?
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Stand up, stand up, ready! One, two, three...
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Fantastic! Everyone's getting excited now.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22It's champagne time!
0:38:22 > 0:38:24'And no 100th birthday would be complete
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'without a glass or two of centenary bubbles.'
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Cheers, everyone. Let's clink those glasses.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Cheers, Helen. Happy birthday.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33'And there are two people here
0:38:33 > 0:38:35'who are particularly excited to see Helen -
0:38:35 > 0:38:39'her great-grandchildren Jeremy and Nathan, along with mum Amanda.'
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Nanna's 100. What do you think of that? Do you think that's special?
0:38:43 > 0:38:48- Yes!- Yeah? It's very, very special. What do YOU think, more importantly?
0:38:48 > 0:38:51I... Oh, it's absolutely amazing.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56It's wonderful to have reached that age and for Nanna to be able
0:38:56 > 0:38:58to see her great-grandchildren.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- I know. Amazing. - It's really wonderful.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02- And for them to get to know her as well.- Sure.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05They're actually very close to her so this is really wonderful.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08That's wonderful, and wonderful that you could all come along.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13I'll be honest, the chance of having grandchildren in the future
0:39:13 > 0:39:17is one of the main reasons I'm looking forward to turning 60.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Not only because I love kids, but because it's the chance to
0:39:20 > 0:39:23continue on a legacy that goes back to the people we met
0:39:23 > 0:39:26at the beginning of the show - my grandparents.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Of course, there's also a selfish reason, too,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33because according to a recent study, being active with your grandkids
0:39:33 > 0:39:37decreases the risk of Alzheimer's, keeps you fitter and, get this,
0:39:37 > 0:39:42produces a so-called love hormone that boosts your immune system.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Oh-oh, yes!
0:39:45 > 0:39:48But the main reason I've organised this party
0:39:48 > 0:39:50is to make Helen feel young again,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54which is ultimately what Holding Back The Years is all about.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Hello.- Hello.- Yeah. Helen, we've got one more treat for you here.- Yes?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Yeah, one more treat.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- This is Alex from the band and the two girls.- Hello.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Hannah and Serena Dunlop. - Yeah. Hannah and Serena.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10And I don't know if you remember - when we were talking, you said that
0:40:10 > 0:40:14one of your favourite songs was Let's Call The Whole Thing Off,
0:40:14 > 0:40:16and you probably performed it
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- in this room 70 years ago! - Probably did, yes!
0:40:20 > 0:40:22And the band here, Alex and the girls,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26and the wonderful orchestra, they're going to perform it for you.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Ah, lovely!
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Isn't it lovely? Alex, take it away.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38MUSIC: Intro to Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- # I say either - We say either
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- # I say neither - And we say neither
0:40:52 > 0:40:54- # Either - Either
0:40:54 > 0:40:55- # Neither - Neither.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57# Let's call the whole thing off
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- # Now, I say tomato - And we say tomato
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- # I say potato - And we say potato
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- # Potato - Potato
0:41:03 > 0:41:04- # Tomato - Tomato
0:41:04 > 0:41:06# Let's call the whole thing off. #
0:41:18 > 0:41:21APPLAUSE
0:41:30 > 0:41:33'So if being happy really is a way of holding back the years,
0:41:33 > 0:41:37'what are the reasons to be cheerful I've found about turning 60?
0:41:37 > 0:41:41'Well, there's the health benefits of nostalgia for starters.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43'So dig out the old pictures
0:41:43 > 0:41:46'or go for a walk around your old neighbourhood.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47'And you have the time,
0:41:47 > 0:41:51'because life expectancy is increasing year on year.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54'Who knows? You might even live to 100!'
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- It's champagne time!- Ooh!
0:41:56 > 0:41:58'It certainly won't cost you anything
0:41:58 > 0:41:59'if you use your free bus pass,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03'where you'll meet all sorts of fantastic characters on board.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06'Alternatively, you could join a local community centre
0:42:06 > 0:42:08'and just party all day long!
0:42:09 > 0:42:13'And finally, think about all those benefits of having grandkids.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17'So maybe time to start dropping a few hints to your own children!
0:42:17 > 0:42:19'Ha-ha-ha!
0:42:19 > 0:42:22'But I'm ending my journey in the place I'm now looking forward
0:42:22 > 0:42:25'to spending my post-60 years...'
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Home, sweet home.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29'..in order to pass on some of what I've learnt
0:42:29 > 0:42:31'to my nearest and dearest.'
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- Hey, guys. How you doing?- Hey! Where you been?
0:42:36 > 0:42:38'That's my sister Jackie.'
0:42:38 > 0:42:39How are you? Are you all right, Sis?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41'And, of course, Mike.'
0:42:41 > 0:42:42- How was it?- Great, Mike, honestly.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45And it was just like you meet people
0:42:45 > 0:42:48who just make you have some sort of sense of...
0:42:48 > 0:42:51of grounding about yourself, something to look forward to.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Don't be... Don't be panicked, don't panic about your 60s, you know?
0:42:54 > 0:42:56- I met some fantastic people.- Really?
0:42:56 > 0:42:59Yeah, people who just made me feel really positive about
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- sort of turning 60...- Oh, wonderful. - ..and, you know, embracing life.
0:43:03 > 0:43:04I tell you what, though.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07One thing's for sure, I am not ready for my pipe and slippers yet.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09No way, Jose!
0:43:09 > 0:43:12'Not that they can resist taking the mickey, of course!'
0:43:17 > 0:43:20I don't believe it! There you go! Look at that.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- And a pipe to go with the slippers. How is that?- Look at that.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26- That is fantastic. - Now, you sit down there.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30Hold on a minute, hold on, hold on. There you go. There you go, feet up.
0:43:30 > 0:43:31There you go.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35- Oh, dear. - 60 years old, pipe and slippers.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37There really is something to look forward to.