LOADING

Type to search

Case Study Property

MEET THE COUPLE BOWLED OVER BY THEIR BUSY SOCIAL LIFE AFTER FINDING LOVE OVER A  SHARED INTEREST IN LATER LIFE

Share
  • As Jean Whittaker, 79, celebrates her team’s success in the English Indoor Bowls Association Finals, she reveals how she and her husband Richard, 82, rediscovered their lust for life in by taking up a shared hobby in retirement
  • Data from McCarthy Stone reveals that 51 is the average age we are most likely to spark a new interest or hobby, while half of those aged 65 plus (53 percent) said they feel more active now compared to any age before
  • One in three (35 percent) say they are more active now than they were in their younger days

While the physical and mental health advantages of hobbies are widely talked about, one important aspect that can get lost in the noise is the social benefits. For 79-year-old Jean Whittaker and her 82-year-old husband Richard, pursuing their passion for playing bowls later in life has opened the door to a lifetime of companionship. 

The couple met seven years ago at a local bowls club in Pembrokeshire, Wales, while getting over the loss of their partners, having both recently been widowed at the time.  They had been playing bowls for several years at that point and had something in common straight off the bat. 

Both Richard and Jean separately rediscovered their lust for life in their early-50s when they first began playing bowls – and they’re not the only ones. According to a recent study by McCarthy Stone, 51 is the average age we are most likely to spark a new interest or hobby, with over half (57 percent) of the 2,000 mature Brits surveyed agreeing that hobbies help keep them feeling young.

In 2022, the couple moved from Pembrokeshire to Fussells Court, McCarthy Stone Retirement Living development in Weston-Super-Mare and got married later that year – proof that having a hobby could even help you to find love in later life.

Today, with more than 20 years’ experience playing bowls under their belt, the couple have picked up numerous accolades along the way. “I’ve been a member of three clubs since I started playing bowls and have represented all three in various competitions and leagues. I won the women’s senior club competition in Tenby, Wales,” Jean beams.

“My highlight this year is competing in the Women’s Triples Championship, which is held by the English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA), the national governing body for indoor level green bowls. My two friends and I won the regional competition in Somerset which meant we made it through to the national finals in Nottingham, where we came joint third – we were over the moon! Richard has also played in competitions and had similar success, we’ve both done very well and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved.”

“But it’s not all about the winning. It’s about making new friends and being part of a like-minded community”, says Jean. “When I first lost my husband, I felt quite lonely, as I had no family in Pembrokeshire. Luckily, the bowls club took me under their wing, they were so lovely to me and treated me like family. Every bowls club that I’ve been a member of has had that same level of camaraderie. Both Richard and I love the company that comes with having a hobby, it’s such a great way to connect with others who share similar interests. In fact, the great thing about being part of a bowls club – or any sports club for that matter – is the sense of belonging; it’s like being part of one big happy family.”

“When you’re a part of a close-knit group that feels like family, it makes winning even more special. Because when one of you wins, you feel like you’ve all won.”

“I’ve always loved doing sport and have been a part of various teams over the years, from cricket to golf and football,” shares Richard. “With it being a relatively low-impact activity, I think bowls tends to be the obvious progression as you get older, however, I still get the same level of enjoyment out of it.”

Jean continues: “It’s a great hobby to get into in later life. Many people tend to pick it up when their family have flown the nest and they’re looking for something fun to do with their new free time.”

Showing no sign of jacking it in, the pair continue to play bowls at St Andrew’s Bowling Club, located a short 10-minute drive from the retirement development where they live.

“It’s a highly competitive club. We even have one young lady who is a bowls English champion, which just goes to show the top level of talent there. A couple of other residents at Fussells Court have also previously been members too,” notes Richard.

Jean adds: “Bowling is a huge part of our lives, it’s something we’ve both always been committed to, so we feel incredibly lucky that we’re able to continue doing something we both love. I think it’s fair to say we lead a good life.”

Hobbies have also been tied to several other benefits, including boosting brain power, helping to stave off depression, and providing higher levels of self-reported health and happiness in people aged 65 and over[1]. Similarly, the study by McCarthy Stone revealed that 72 percent of people said they feel happy when doing their hobbies, while 40 percent feel engaged, and 24 percent feel like they are making the most of life.

“It’s the same with any hobby, once you get into something, you soon fall in love with it,” Richard says. “One of the reasons we enjoy it so much is that we’re both extremely competitive, it’s in our nature. It’s also good exercise for us and it’s nice simply to do something that you’re good at. Not least, it helps keep our minds sharp with it being a game of skill.”

Jean comments: “Playing bowls does a world of good for us. What some people don’t realise, however, is that it’s suitable for all ages rather than just older people – anyone from say eight years old upwards can play. In fact, we have some young lads who play at our club and compete at a high level.”

And if one hobby wasn’t already enough, Jean is also a keen artist.

“I’ve never been formally taught how to paint, but it’s something that I love doing. I’ve created various watercolour and acrylic paintings over the years, the House Manager at Fussells Court, Sharon, even has some hanging in her office. I do occasionally sell them from time to time if anyone has a specific request, but for the most part, I just do it for fun.”

As a nation, one thing is clear – we’re passionate about enjoying hobbies and interests, with over half (53 percent) of those polled by the retirement housebuilder saying they still wish they had more hobbies. Over half of those aged 65 plus (53 percent) also said they feel more active now compared to any age before, with around one in nine saying they aim to live life to the fullest rather than slowing down in retirement.

More than nine out of ten customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, ensuring it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this rating every year it has taken part in the survey. 

For further information about McCarthy Stone, please visit: www.mccarthystone.co.uk.