6 Remarkable Winners of
The LaterLife
Challenge
Making the most of retirement
 The Laterlife Challenge is an annual competition to recognise those
who are making the most of today’s retirement opportunities. Their
enthusiasm and example helps to encourage us all to also make the
most of our years in retirement.
The six category winners below were
involved in an astonishingly wide range of activities: helping in schools,
starting an inventors club in East London, tobogganing in Italy,
teaching Chi Kung, riding a motorbike to Kiev to raise money for
charity, obtaining Degrees in subjects like Politics, Psychology
and Criminology, Canoeing 110 miles of river in Minnesota and
through 12 sets of rapids, becoming a volunteer ranger,
modernising the local community centre and much more…….As the
daughter of one winner says my mother is 70 going on 21!
The Laterlife Challenge made awards under six fun and altruistic categories of
activity and was open to
those who are retired or semi-retired. Categories included ‘new
experiences’, doing something for others’, ‘active in later
life’, ‘discovery and ideas’, ‘raising money for charity’ and a
‘spirit of the 60s’ challenge.
There were also two overall awards
of Laterlife Challenge Cups.
Judging was very hard and we would like to thank everyone who
took the time to enter
Our congratulations to the 6 winners who are:
James Newton, age 57, a retired nurse from Bradford,
Terry Jennings a retired electrical engineer age 69 and
Brenda Reay from Ilford in Essex
Alan Hogarth, age 69, a retired manager of a disabled
bureau from Sunbury on Thames
Isabella Martin a retired secretary, age 70 from Broughty Ferry in Dundee
Terry Hartery, age 61 a retired university lecturer
from Edinburgh
Conrad Drogie, age 74, a retired baker from Stockport
Laterlife Challenge Citations and Winner Profiles
The Judging was led by Dave Sinclair who runs Laterlife’s
Planning Retirement Workshops and has helped many people make
the transition to a fulfilling retirement. Dave comments: “It
was an extremely difficult task to select the winners because of
the wide variety of things that people are doing. As well as the
eventual winners there are some tremendous examples of how
people are making the most of today’s retirement opportunities
and far from running down are looking for new challenges and
giving their time to help others”.
The profiles of each of the winners are below together with
Dave's citations:
James Newton
Age 57
Retired Nurse
Bradford
I've been a primary school governor for 2 years. Now with more
time, I go in half a day a week to assist with IT lessons.
Because I want to travel now I have the time, I decided not to
have a new dog when my old friend died 2 years ago, so instead I
walk stray dogs at a re-homing centre once a week. Since
retiring, I've become a volunteer ranger in the South Pennines,
monitoring the impact of the new access legislation on wildlife
and the environment. And, having been a 'born again'
motorcyclist for some years, this year I'm taking part in a ride
to Kiev to raise money for a centre there for children with
disabilities and their families. It's great to now have the time
to do all these things!
(James had recently completed the ride to Kiev - 4000 miles
in 2 weeks!). The picture below shows him in Wencelas Square,
Prague during the trip.
Citation:
James’ achievements in retirement are so impressive because
of the variety of activities he is undertaking. He has reached a
good balance between doing things for others whilst, at the same
time, thoroughly enjoying himself. His activities impact on
young people, through his association with the school, and
people of all ages, through his work as a ranger. Let’s not
forget, too, that man’s best friends also benefit from his wish
to walk. Finally, he has managed to combine his love of
motorcycling with raising money for disadvantaged children. The
combination of thoroughly enjoying himself, whilst at the same
time doing things for others in a wide variety of activities,
makes him a worthy winner.
James (right) receiving his award from
laterlife.com Director Tony Clack
Terry Jennings (Age 69) and Brenda Reay
Electrical Engineer
Ilford, Essex
Terry (centre) and Brenda receiving their
award from laterlife.com Director Tony Clack, at The East London
Inventor's Club meeting on 27th July, attended by around 30
inventors. The prizes includes a trip in the Triumph
International hot air balloon.
After retiring, together with my partner Brenda Reay, we set up
an inventors club to help lone inventors get their inventions to
market. Now many of us, and the majority are all retired, are
inventing and helping others to achieve their aims and dreams.
Being old does not mean we are useless and ready for the scrap
heap it means we have a wealth of experience ready and willing
to pass on to the younger generations. We set up our inventors
club at the University of East London and since we started we
have been able to help others overcome their problems. We were
also enlisted by the DTI for international Technology meetings
to exchange knowledge to other countries. Our first exchange was
with a delegation from Poland and we assisted with help and
advice. Our second exchange was with Russia and after meeting we
were invited to the Russian Embassy for a party in the evening.
For our work with the DTI we were invited to Buckingham Palace!
for the Queens Garden Party. So it only goes to prove us older
ones have a lot to give after retiring. (How did we ever find
time to go to work?)
Citation
Terry and Brenda have become immersed in their inventors’
club in a way that helps other people and has wider implications
in terms of liaising with inventors from other countries through
the DTI. They are using the expertise they have gained over a
lifetime to assist others and to further the cause of inventors
in general. They have gained recognition of their efforts and
are therefore (whether they like it or not!) ambassadors for all
retired people. They are very fine ambassadors, too, making them
splendid winners of the Laterlife Challenge.
Terry (left) and Brenda after the award
ceremony.
To find out more about the East London
Inventor's Club you can visit their web site
www.eastlondoninventorsclub.com which
also has useful web links to other Clubs around the UK.
Alan Hogarth
69
Sunbury on Thames
Retired manager of Ipswich Disabled Bureau
Alan with his award onboard the Polly Grey
- he has navigated 850 miles of Canals and Rivers so far!
Since age 60 I have gained an Open University Honours Degree
in Psychology and Criminology.
2003 Walked the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles in the
Pyrenees to Sangiago de Compostela, 500 miles in 6 weeks.
Went back the next year 2003 and walked the last 100km again.
Canoed 110 miles of the Namekagon, St Croix Rivers in Minnesota,
Wisconsin through 12 sets of rapids.
2005 Moved onboard a narrowboat and navigated 850 miles of
Rivers and Canals to get to know my own country. I am ex Royal
Navy and know the edges quite well!
I am currently learning conversational Spanish and will be using
that when I walk the pilgrimage from Seville to Santiago de
Compostela, 1000km in 2007
 Citation
Just reading Alan’s achievements since he retired makes
one
feel tired! He has refused to go quietly into retirement but, on
the contrary, is determined to use the extra time he now has to
keep fit, see parts of the world he has not seen before, and
challenge himself. It’s not only physically that he is testing
himself; his degree and his imminent learning of Spanish testify
to the fact that he also wants to keep his brain active. So,
overall, Alan is relishing the opportunities and the challenges
of retirement in many of its aspects and is, therefore, a worthy
winner.
Isabella Martin
70
Retired secretary
Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Hi my name is Issy, just back from a New York visit celebrating
my "70th" birthday. Life is for living and always looked on
every day as a bonus and savoured every moment, never looking
back since my retiral 8 years ago. My life is full of holidays;
cruises; art classes, lawn bowling; joined the local branch of
JJB sports (aqua aerobics, swimming, and use the gym
equipment);a member of Weight Watchers as a helper on sales
(also helps to keep the figure trim); member of local outdoor
bowling club (past President and Secretary); Tobogganing in
Italy; Hot Air Ballooning in Teneriffe; but I have always wanted
to scuba dive!! One of the birthday cards I received, was from
my daughter, which read "70" going on 21, and this is true. Just
bought my first Lap top and downloaded onto my MP3!!
Love Issy
Issy (centre) with friends Elizabeth (left)
and May (right) receiving her award before going on to their
Aqua aerobics club.
There's obviously something in the Dundee air because believe it
or not Issy is 70, May is 73 and Elizabeth is 75!
Citation
‘Issy’ is doing so many things that it would take too long to
repeat them here. Retirement is a time of opportunities and
choices and Issy is grabbing hers at an almost alarming rate for
we mere mortals. She is refusing to bow to age and, by doing so,
is keeping age at bay. By helping at Weight Watchers and by
being President and Secretary of the bowling club, she is also
putting something back, too, which is an excellent complement to
her own activities. Issy’s sheer energy makes her a deserved
winner.
Issy by the harbour in Dundee.
Terry Hartery
61
Retired University Lecturer
Edinburgh
Terry (left) receives his award
from laterlife.com Director Tony Clack
I have taught myself Chi Kung, which is a simpler form of Tai
Chi, and now teach it to a group of over 50s on Monday
evenings. Chi Kung, with it's gentle movements, is very good for
relaxing, maintaining the condition of joints and improving
health generally. In addition, because of my teaching, I was
asked to become a member of the Committee of the Community
Centre where I teach. As a result of serving on the committee, I
have just been elected Chair.
After taking the Chair I embarked on a one year development
plan to improve the facilities at the Community Centre and
increase the number of activities available to the local
community. This involves redecorating the centre, an activity
which starts today (14/5/06). It's quite a big task but we were
able to get a Neighbourhood Grant from B&Q for paint and 30
volunteers from the local Marriot Hotel, who will help with the
painting. Once the building is redecorated my intention is to
introduce additional new activities, such as monthly talks on
subjects of interest to people in the community, race nights,
beetle drives (for families) and a weekly book club.
Terry teaching Chi Kung in the refurbished
community centre
Citation
From teaching himself Chi Kung Terry has moved seamlessly to
completely overhauling the community centre where he now teaches
it to others for the benefit of the entire local community. This
is a very impressive achievement and proof that, with the will
and the energy, we can really make a difference to other people
in our own retirement. Terry is a shining example as to how we
can do activities that we enjoy in retirement but, at the same
time, help others, too. If we are willing to become involved we
can make a difference. For becoming involved and making a
difference, Terry is an excellent winner.
Conrad Drogie
74
Retired Baker
Stockport
Conrad (left) receives his award from
laterlife.com Director Tony Clack
After retirement decided to take a university degree.
unfortunately just weeks after commencement was diagnosed with
cancer of the lymph nodes. had to have radiotherapy then
chemotherapy but still managed to keep up with my studies at
Manchester Metropolitan University graduating with a 2:1 BA(Hons)
degree in politics at age of 71. Am now 74, still fighting the
cancer and yet am now in the middle of taking my Masters degree
at Salford University. In between I took an ECDL computer course
with learn direct. That's about it really.
Citation
‘Never give up’ is Conrad’s motto and I, for one, am inspired
and humbled by his achievements in the face of adversity. Two
degrees and the ECDL computer course, whilst fighting cancer,
are testimony to Conrad’s refusal to lie down and give in. In
this way he is a shining example to all of us in later life and
fully deserves to be a winner of the Laterlife Challenge.
Conrad with award in front of his
picturesque home
Challenge Categories
Since the nominees for the awards were doing such a
variety of activities, many of them could easily have won in a
number of categories!
But the final winners of each category were as follows:
Issy Martin - New experiences
Alan Hogarth - Active in later life
Terry Hartery - Doing something for others
Conrad Drogie - Discovery and Ideas
James Newton - Raising money for others
Terry and Brenda Reay - Spirit of the 60s
Each winner received a Balloon Flight for two courtesy of
Triumph International. In addition there were other great prizes for
some of the specific challenges such as a Reviver Break for two
at Ragdale Hall health hydro, free membership of
Dateline Plus, free Home Insurance from Insure4retirement
and clothing accessories from Dents.
Tony Clack, Managing Director of
www.laterlife.com
which runs the challenge, says “this is the first time that we
have run the Laterlife Challenge and we have been delighted by
the response. We hope that future Laterlife Challenges will see
even more great examples. The Challenge is something you can
consider at any time and so we have Laterlife Challenge information
on the web site all the time
to give people ideas about the possibilities.
With over 20 to 25 years of hopefully active retirement
ahead, those just retiring and the baby boomers now coming up to
retirement have the chance to change the whole nature of
retirement and make a real difference”.
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