Young-at-heart romantics feature in TV programme
A new TV programme has been filmed in Maidstone looking at how the over-65s approach the world of dating.
More4 is due to broadcast Bus Pass Bandits later this year, a series examining the different ways the world has changed for the older generation.
And the Liberty Bell production company knew just who to approach for the first show, on the subject of dating.
They were straight in touch with Maidstone entrepreneur Linda Cloke.
She has run a dating agency in the town for 16 years and also the Click Events singles social register for 14 years.
She said: “They wanted me to put them in touch with some over-65s willing to take part.”
She found a number of willing candidates, and one man and five women were selected.
Filming took place at Oakwood House in Maidstone.
The presenters Amanda Barrie and Henry Blofeld first inter- viewed John, aged 72, from Orpington, and then the five ladies in turn. The hopefuls included a lady from Larkfield and one from Goudhurst, and others from Hythe, Rainham and Folkestone, aged between 66 and 74. After the interviews, the presenters selected the woman they thought would get on well with John, and he got to meet her. The first date was a cream tea outing, captured on camera. Mrs Cloke, who was delighted her agency was chosen to help, said: “It’s too early to say whether a long-term relationship will come of it, but all the ladies had a great deal of fun.”
One Kent couple who can testify to finding love later in life are Harold and Doreen Bradley, who were 93 and 83 respectively when they married last year in Thanet.
Mr Bradley, a D-Day veteran, met his bride at the retirement village where they both live and the pair had been widowed.
Celebrity couple Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster sent them a wedding card which was read on the day. It came after Ms Lancaster spent time photographing Mr Bradley in Normandy in 2014 during the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Bus Pass Bandits, which also features former deputy prime minister John Prescott, Johnny Ball and Eve Pollard, will hit our screens in May.