Em@il JURY

Dolly Parton has written her first novel at 75. What new skills did you find in later life?

A flair for organising and thinking outside the box. I was told I had missed my vocation as an archaeologist as I have a talent for assembling bones and pottery and jigsaws. I have never passed an exam in my life! Elizabeth O’regan

I have, more than anything else, rediscovered old skills and hobbies. The keyboard has been returned to a prominent position and the art equipment has been taken out, too. I have even started framing and displaying the results of my endeavours, and was most gratified when a friend thought they had been a gift from an artist. Lorna Smith

I started doing handcrafts when I retired, as I hadn’t had time for them when I was working. I enjoyed them until arthritis in my hands and wrists made them impossible.

Liz Kelly

After receiving a present of a day’s wood-turning several years ago I am now a competent wood turner, which I enjoy. I also bought my wife a ukulele but she did not use it so I now play with two bands. Hamilton Mclean

Learning IT skills was the skill I found in late in life. Margaret Brown

Gardening gave me an interest in growing some of our own food.

Bob Mitchell