Broadcaster tells festival of challenges faced by elderly
VETERAN BROADCASTER and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen took centre stage and told of the challenges of growing old during a six-day film festival in Bradford.
The 77-year-old presenter talked candidly about her career, family life and the challenges people face as they get older.
She was speaking at the Picturehouse Bradford, as part of a film festival hosted by the city in partnership with the National Science and Media Museum.
The festival is aimed at an older audience and celebrates Bradford’s UNESCO City of Film status.
Dame Esther launched The Silver Line, a helpline to combat loneliness amongst older people.
She told crowds how loneliness still carries a stigma and acts like a barrier attacking people’s health and wellbeing.
Asked how she kept active in older age, the mother-of-three said: “I play a lot of Scrabble and I have no doubt that chasing my grandsons around the sofa keeps me fit. I think it’s also really important in older age to enjoy yourself.”
The festival runs until next week and events are being staged at Picturehouse Bradford, the Bradford Club, Delius Arts and Cultural Centre and Clayton Village Hall.
David Wilson, festival director, said: “I was thrilled to be able to welcome Esther to the launch of the festival for what was a superbly entertaining and very special event.
“As part of our festival we are highlighting the problem of loneliness and isolation amongst older people and so it was very moving to hear about Esther’s own experiences and the work she does with The Silver Line.”
Film enthusiasts were treated to a rare screening of a 1958 documentary, in which JB Priestley tours Bradford, at the Picturehouse yesterday.
And today, in partnership with the BBC, a free screening of the moving portrait of the Brontë sisters To Walk Invisible will take place at the venue.
The event will feature a question-and-answer session after the screening with Ann Dinsdale, principal curator of the Brontë Society.