All-action Barrowford pensioner's jumping for joy (From Lancashire Telegraph)

All-action Barrowford pensioner's jumping for joy

8:00pm Wednesday 20th January 2010 in

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A PENDLE pensioner has scooped a national award for living an “extraordinary” life after retirement.

Patricia Kelly, 62, of Fife Street, Barrowford, was named overall winner for the North of England and Scottish regions in the national Laterlife Challenge this week.

The competition was open to men and women over the age of 50 who were making the most of their retirement years.

Patricia wowed judges with her active lifestyle, which includes croquet, long walks, gym workouts, country dance classes and maintaining an allotment.

Competition organiser Tony Clack said: “The level and variety of activities Patricia has packed into her retirement years is breathtaking.”

To keep mentally active, Patricia is a member of U3A (University of the Third Age) and an East Lancashire archi-tectural group as well as being an art enthusiast.

This year she has also committed to improving her modern Greek, learning Span-ish and Portuguese and joining a local friends group.

Patricia said: “I moved to Barrowford eight years ago with my business in one of the market stalls in Nelson, selling dragon memorabilia and at the time I did not know anybody and was unfamiliar with the area.

“I decided to get involved with Pendle Croquet after my sister in Basingstoke told me about the sport. After that I just signed up for interesting clubs like the architecture group, which allows me to visit some really exciting places with some great people. I really have become more active since retiring and to win this award was just amazing because I never win anything.

“When I found out, I was bouncing around my living room shouting ‘I’ve won something!”

Patricia, who worked as a librarian at Hameldon High School, Burnley, will now be short-listed for the national final.

The Laterlife Challenge was set up to change people’s concepts of life over the age of 50.

For more information, visit www.laterlife.com/challenge.