Northamptonshire OAPs are rocking out their retirement, according to new survey

Northamptonshire’s OAPs are ‘rocking out’ their retirement not watching life pass by from the stereotypical rocking chair, according to the findings of a new survey.

While COVID is currently restricting lives, particularly those of older people, new research has found that in normal times you’re more likely to find grandparents in the East Midlands at gigs, listening to heavy metal, watching live sports or hiking across the local countryside.

A national study of 2,000 nans and grandads highlights today’s grandparent is a far cry from the older generation of yesteryear, and young-at-heart OAPs in the East Midlands are no different, living life very differently from their parents.

The survey of the region’s ‘golden oldies’ found 56 per cent of grandparents in the area fondly remember the swinging 60s with 65 per cent revealing their musical tastes are shaped by the rock they listened to in the 60s and 70s.

More than a third (42 per cent) are fans of heavy metal with grandparents listening to rock acts such as Bon Jovi (33 per cent), Black Sabbath (23 per cent) and Deep Purple (22 per cent) proving their musical tastes haven’t mellowed over the years.

However, contrary to belief, the older generation also have a penchant for modern music too, with 45 per cent confessing to listening to Robbie Williams and almost one in ten (9 per cent) to Justin Bieber.

More than half (62 per cent) believe they aren’t a stereotypical grandparent, with 46 per cent claiming they haven’t felt as carefree as they do now.

Almost a quarter (24 per cent) like watching live sports, a fifth love hiking, 17 per cent like going to gigs and some one in ten (11 per cent) still work out at the gym.

Far from being dinosaurs when it comes to technology, grandparents in the East Midlands are social media savvy.

Almost three quarters use Facebook (72 per cent), almost half watch videos on YouTube (45 per cent) and more than a fifth are on Twitter (21 per cent).

Six per cent even appear to be joining their grandchildren on TikTok.

And there’s a new breed of ‘granpreneurs’ in the region too, with more than one in ten (17 per cent) running an established business or having set one up since they turned 50.

Verity Kick, marketing director at Oak Tree Mobility which commissioned the research and is a leading expert in marketing to older people, said: “Many of us can still be guilty of taking the stereotypical view of older people in a rocking chair.

"The reality is very different. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you can’t do certain things, as the research clearly shows.

“The phrase ’40 is the new 30’ has now shifted upwards, as people live longer – so in many ways, 60 is the new 30.

"Of course, this doesn’t apply to every grandparent, but our study has found many are enjoying their lives just as much as they did in their younger years.

“Mobility is hugely important to being able to enjoy life to the fullest.

"If you can move around your home and the world in comfort, it can feel like it takes years off your age.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 64 per cent of the region’s grandparents feel like they’re actively doing a good job of changing people’s perceptions of what ‘old’ people are like.

More than a third of grandparents (39 per cent) don’t believe their grandkids see them as ‘old’ and more than three quarters (78 per cent) believe they’re nothing like their own grandparents were at the same age with some of their craziest hobbies driving cars on a race circuit and abseiling.

And when it comes to bucket lists, the twilight years aren’t dampening grandparents’ thirst for adventure with almost half (49 per cent) per cent craving a visit to an exotic, faraway destination, 23 per cent want to go on a safari while a quarter want to be an extra on TV.

If they could be any age again, 34 per cent would be transported back to anywhere between 2 and 30-years-old, but 14 per cent said they would stay their current age and are enjoying their rocking retirement.

Verity concluded: “Lots of the younger generation are afraid of what it’s like getting older. This is partly due to stereotypes around old people.

“Getting old doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love, listening to music you like or even rocking out at gigs.

“Comfort, taking care of joints and looking after your overall health and well-being in younger years is key and will pay dividends when you get older – mobility will become one thing you can’t take for granted.

“We have just launched a new national advertising campaign which reflects this social change and the new generation of grandparents who want to make much more of their lives as they grow older.

"Such a zest for life should help the older generation get back to normal after COVID.”

Paul House, 53, from Higham Ferrers has three children and two grandchildren aged between three and 29 and epitomises today’s active grandparent.

When he isn’t working – Paul is a full-time commercial director at a communications agency – you’re likely to find him bungee jumping.

He’s enjoyed some 30 base jumps over the years both in the UK and in Canada – where he lived for two years - and is part of the National Bungee Jump Club which he’s been a member of since 1998.

He’s also a fan of helicopter skiing, which he’s done in Whistler in the past, and is counting down the days until he can do it again.

When he isn’t leaping off bridges and buildings, Paul spends hours at a time in a flight simulator training for his private pilot licence - something he hopes he’ll be the proud owner of this year.

His penchant for high-octane hobbies extends to his musical tastes too and he credits Black Sabbath amongst his all-time favourite band, with Sam Smith coming a close second.

In what some people may consider to be a role reversal, he’s very good on social media.

He uses a whole host of channels to keep in touch with friends and family including TikTok, Snapchat, Slack, WeChat and Twitter, much to the delight of his children and grandchildren who rely on him for help and advice on the latest platforms.

And he has no intention of sitting back and taking things easy as once he retires.

One of the first things he wants to tick off his bucket list is a trip to Thailand with a stay at the Lebua Hotel.