Meet the Over-60s Proving Age Is No Barrier in Cornwall

More than 220 nominations poured in. Sixty people made the cut. Here are the Cornish legends who earned their place.

Some of Cornwall’s most remarkable older residents have been celebrated at a special recognition ceremony held at County Hall in Truro, as part of the 60 Over 60 campaign, which launched in January this year.

The campaign was set up to shine a light on people across Cornwall who are embracing healthy, active ageing and inspiring others to do the same, with nominees ranging in age from 60 to 103.

The Response Was Overwhelming

An independent panel of judges received more than 220 nominations across twelve categories: Lifetime Community Champion, Volunteer of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Creative Contributor, Health and Wellbeing Advocate, Environmental Hero, Sports Inspiration, Neighbourhood Supporter, Business Leader, Cultural Ambassador, Charity Fundraiser, and Unsung Hero.

Finalists were recognised for everything from keeping communities active through yoga, cycling and sea swimming, to bringing people together through song and dance, to simply being the quiet, steady glue that holds a neighbourhood together.

What the Judges Said

The calibre of nominees left a lasting impression on the judging panel. One finalist was described as “inspirational, deeply committed to her community, and proof that later life can be a time of profound contribution and positive change.”

Cornwall Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships, Councillor Jim McKenna, paid tribute to everyone involved:

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate someone from their community. It was very difficult to narrow it down to just sixty people, as everyone nominated went above and beyond in their daily lives to stay active, healthy and support others.

“This campaign exists to say thank you to those people who so often give without expectation of recognition. And our finalists were all here because someone in their community saw what they do and thought: that person deserves to be celebrated.”

What It Means to Those Honoured

For those recognised on the night, the experience clearly resonated deeply. Annette Baskerville-Smith, who was Highly Commended in the Creative Contributor category, said:

“At first, I was really shocked. You do these things just for the passion of doing them. Now that I am here it has really sunk in and I appreciate that people have recognised the work that I do.

“When you get to a certain age group it is quite easy to be forgotten and one of the good things that has come about from this, is you can actually encourage other people to get out and say to them; don’t sit at home, get out there and champion who you are, as it gives you a great sense of well-being.”

The Bigger Picture

The 60 Over 60 campaign forms part of Cornwall’s work towards becoming an Age Friendly Community, a framework set out by the World Health Organisation. Age-friendly communities work together to help people stay active and more connected, which promotes better health and reduces dependence on urgent interventions.

Profiles of all winners will be published on the Cornwall Council website in the coming weeks, with their stories shared across social media in the months ahead.

The Full List of Honourees

Business Leader Babs Rounsevell, Gaz Douglas, Elaine Coleman

Charity Fundraiser Andrea Hall, Edna Liddicoat, Tina Robinson, Lynne Blewett

Creative Contributor Annette Baskerville-Smith, Sarah Pym, Helen Porter, Andrew Bown, Penny Platts, Gareth Stubberfield

Cultural Ambassador Jane Richardson, Terry Faull, Paul Caruana, Peter Maynard

Environmental Hero Lesley Bradley, John Crumpton, Maggie Freegard, Anne Tryhorn, Robin Nicholls, Monique Schneider

Health and Wellbeing Advocate Cym Downing, Dr Chris Whitworth, Beth Mitchell, Robert Rotchell, Joy Saunders, Michael Dobson, Richard Emerson

Lifetime Community Champion Joanne Gilbert, Sandy Lawrence, Martin Langdon, Steve Chapman, Angela Agutter

Mentor Robert Woods, Helen Shanahan, Catherine McGuire

Neighbourhood Supporter Richard Bridgeman, Pixie Davis, Derek Anstis, Gaye Braund, Suzanne Featherstone, Gail (Candy) Kemp, Teresa Roden, Frank O’Neil, Chris Tonkin

Sports Inspiration Paul Wright, Diane Warren, Martin Walton, Antony Roberts, David May, Anthony Rowell

Unsung Hero Arno Canale, David Gregory, Laura Fay, Sue Phillips

Volunteer of the Year Paul Hinds, Carol Nicholson, Carol O’Brien