We have been sent an interesting article about the population breakdown of Milford on Sea. The friend that sent it claims that the article was sent to them by their daughter, but it could also be true that they used this as cover story to avoid admitting they read the Daily Mail!
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| New Census of Coastal Communities click image to enlarge |
This week Matt Chorley, Political Editor of Mail Online, wrote an article which explains that some seaside towns are struggling to cope with ageing populations.
He refers to the New Census of Coastal Communities, which shows that on average 20% of people living in them are aged 65 or over, compared to 16% nationwide.
A detailed breakdown goes on to reveal that Milford on Sea has a much higher percentage, with 44% of residents 'Over 65', making the village the joint second highest seaside community in the UK. So, of our 5000'ish residents, around 2200 are over 65.
Conversely, Milford on Sea has an outstanding Primary School, and a thriving Pre-School, Brownies, Guides & Sea Scouts, so there is certainly a lot of young families around. Added to this, we have plenty of local tradesman and home businesses, vibrant village shops, fabulous places to eat and an active calendar for all to enjoy. The village actually feels well-balanced, rather than feeling like we are living in the film set of 'Cocoon'.
Matt Chorley's article goes onto to consider the socio-economic issues these population breakdowns can cause communities and expresses the views of MP's to the current and future situation.
Sadly, the article did not contain any statistics on 'Mobility scooters per head of population.'
Sadly, the article did not contain any statistics on 'Mobility scooters per head of population.'
We are of course incapable of serious thought, and would really love to know why a man's ears keep growing, and then become hairier than his head.
Living in the village it could not have escaped the noticed of many people, that avoiding (literally!) some of our more senior drivers is a regular past time. We have heard from a particularly poor source, that this has not passed the attention of the Parish Council, and they are currently working on a project to ease travel for people around the village centre. We have been fortunate to obtain an artist's impression of the vehicle proposed for introduction in March 2015.
Although I am yet to reach the 'Over 65 Category', I do observe that many of our over 65's are very active and look to be having a pretty good time by enjoying local clubs, classes, eateries, entertainment and of course the wonderful village and seaside life. The main downside appears to be that bits of the body start to stop working as you go.
Two of my friends (Jon and Colin) are at different stages in the ageing process, but both know they are getting older, as it now takes them longer to get over having a good time - than it takes have it!
It is said that there are 3 things that indicate you are getting older, first there is loss of memory... Can't remember what comes next.
To read the full Daily Mail article please click here.
FOOTNOTE:
A good friend of mine recently shared his experience on getting older.
Dear Friends,
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to maintain the same standard of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some are over-sensitive, and there's nothing worse than an over-sensitive woman.
Let me relate how I handled the situation with my over-sensitive wife Janet. When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Janet to take on an extra job to generate the extra income we need.
Shortly after she started the job I began to notice how she was showing her age. I now get home from the pub about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she always says she needs to rest for half an hour before making dinner. I don't shout at her, I just tell her to take her time and wake me up when dinner is on the table. I generally have lunch at the pub, so eating out again is unacceptable; I'm ready for home cooking when I get in.
She used to do the dishes when we finished eating, but now she leaves them lying around for several hours. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her every few minutes that they won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates this as she usually washes them before bedtime.
Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example she complains that she has not enough time in her lunch hour to do all the shopping. I smile, and suggest that she spreads the shopping over 2 or 3 days, and that it wouldn't do her any harm to skip lunch completely once in a while. Tact is one of my strong points.
Dear Friends,
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to maintain the same standard of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some are over-sensitive, and there's nothing worse than an over-sensitive woman.
Let me relate how I handled the situation with my over-sensitive wife Janet. When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Janet to take on an extra job to generate the extra income we need.
Shortly after she started the job I began to notice how she was showing her age. I now get home from the pub about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she always says she needs to rest for half an hour before making dinner. I don't shout at her, I just tell her to take her time and wake me up when dinner is on the table. I generally have lunch at the pub, so eating out again is unacceptable; I'm ready for home cooking when I get in.
She used to do the dishes when we finished eating, but now she leaves them lying around for several hours. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her every few minutes that they won't clean themselves. I know she appreciates this as she usually washes them before bedtime.
Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example she complains that she has not enough time in her lunch hour to do all the shopping. I smile, and suggest that she spreads the shopping over 2 or 3 days, and that it wouldn't do her any harm to skip lunch completely once in a while. Tact is one of my strong points.
I know I look like a saint in the way I support Janet. Showing this much consideration is not easy. Many men will find it difficult - some will find it impossible. However, if you show a little more tact and diplomacy towards your ageing wife as a result of reading this, I will consider writing it was well worthwhile.
Best wishes, George
EDITORS NOTE:
George died last week, he was found with a 24 inch Stanley screwdriver stuck up his arse, with only 2 inches protruding. His wife Janet was arrested, but an all female jury accepted her defence that he had accidentally sat on it.
Best wishes, George
EDITORS NOTE:
George died last week, he was found with a 24 inch Stanley screwdriver stuck up his arse, with only 2 inches protruding. His wife Janet was arrested, but an all female jury accepted her defence that he had accidentally sat on it.
May I provide some additional local context to Matt Chorley’s article of 28 October on ageing populations in coastal towns?
ReplyDeleteMilford is cited as having 44% of its population aged 65 and over, and we can expect that in ten years’ time our community will reach 50% (based on ONS projections of 9 April 2013 by age group for the New Forest)
David makes the very important point that we have many young families and a vibrant business community. The business community has adapted to the ageing population by offering more personal services, eating establishments and community support. However we know that some services have come under review as our community is too small to sustain a presence e.g. the bank. We need to bear this in mind when looking at the longer term development of our community.
Chorley's article says that just 17 per cent of the population in coastal towns are aged 0-15, compared to 19 per cent for England and Wales overall. Would that this were true for Milford! In the 2011 census Milford had only 10% of its population aged 0-15 years.
Why should this be so?
A consequence of an ageing population is that it leads to a decrease in the average household size. The number of single person households in Milford is expected to increase by over 15% between 2011 and 2021: that’s about 150 households. As we know, healthy older couples move to Milford to retire. Sadly one partner is lost but the survivor cannot move from the house as smaller accommodation is not available without losing contact with their network of friends. We end up with single person households living in family houses. We need more accommodation for single person households to free up these family houses in the community.
Today we are "crowding out" younger families from living in Milford – that’s why Milford’s population of 0-15 year olds is almost half the average for England and Wales.
Torbay MP Adrian Sanders, a member of the all-party group for coastal communities, is quoted as saying in respect of coastal communities ‘We need to retain more of the working age, skilled people. A lot of it comes down to the housing policy. If you don’t build in order to secure enough affordable housing for working age people on low wages the only people who will invest will be the likes of McCarthy and Stone.”
It is difficult to avoid a conclusion that we need to find ways to enable a managed expansion of our community while increasing the number of young families. The issues which would need addressing include housing especially affordable housing, amenities such as formal open space and associated infrastructure including parking.
Chris Sanders (no relation)