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<\/a>Marjorie before the 1952 olympics<\/p><\/div>\n
Now a\u00a0homeowner at McCarthy & Stone\u2019s<\/a> Jowett Court Retirement Living development in Bradford, Marjorie competed in\u00a0two Olympics as\u00a0a member of\u00a0the eight-strong British female gymnast team.<\/p>\n Marjorie\u00a0has now won\u00a0the top prize in a nationwide Inspirational Generation\u00a0<\/a>competition \u2013 an initiative set-up by the retirement house builders to celebrate and reward the inspiring feats and achievements of older people. It was\u00a0judged by TV personality, Gloria Hunniford,<\/p>\n Age is certainly no barrier for Majorie,\u00a0who was selected to compete in the 1952 Olympics in\u00a0Helsinki, Finland, and the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing selected to represent my country was truly exhilarating, it was such an honour and those memories of the opening ceremony will last a lifetime,” she said.<\/p>\n The octogenarian who\u00a0began\u00a0performing somersaults and cartwheels\u00a0at the age of 10, went on to have an impressive coaching career, nurturing the next generation of gymnasts and still\u00a0trains three times a week \u2013\u00a0 hitting the gym at 6am.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to keep moving,” she adds. “It\u2019s so important when you get older to maintain that independence and mobility.<\/p>\n “As they say, \u2018use it or you lose it\u2019.”\u00a0The grandmother of five can still stand on her head and perform the splits.<\/p>\n Marjorie\u00a0has embraced everything about retirement living as well as\u00a0the independence and freedom\u00a0she has experienced since downsizing to\u00a0a McCarthy & Stone<\/a> apartment. Being selected as the national winner of Inspirational Generation for her successful sporting career spanning over 70 years was the icing on the cake.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d win\u201d, she said. \u201cSo I was absolutely overwhelmed to get that congratulation call. I had to take a minute to come to terms with it all. It\u2019s been a true honour, and I\u2019ve had a really wonderful life.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of Marjorie\u2019s happiest memories\u00a0have been\u00a0travelling across Europe training and developing gymnasts to represent Great Britain in International Gymnastradas in Berlin, Zurich, Herning and Amsterdam.<\/p>\n When\u00a0she retired at\u00a074, she\u00a0remained involved in the sport\u00a0until 2015\u00a0volunteering at Leeds Espirit Gymnastics Club.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so important when you get older to maintain that independence and mobility<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Marjorie, who has been married to her husband Geoffrey, 87, for 61 years,\u00a0was awarded \u00a32,000 and a \u00a3200\u00a0cheque\u00a0to donate her chosen charity.<\/p>\n Sharon Gill, Marketing Manager for McCarthy & Stone<\/a> North East, said: \u201cOur Inspirational Generation campaign was focused on raising awareness of the fantastic achievements of those over 60 and how inspirational they are to the younger generation.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as we saw her entry it was clear\u00a0Marjorie was an exceptionally inspirational lady. She has had a fascinating sporting career and we are delighted to see her recognised in this way, which is what she really deserves.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people see old age as something to dread. Marjorie, like many of our homeowners, is proving that age is no barrier.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s just a number and we want to encourage more people to be inspired by Marjorie\u2019s story, and see their retirement as an opportunity \u2013 an opportunity to live life to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n Gloria Hunniford, who judged the competition,\u00a0said: \u201cMy congratulations go to Marjorie. There is a clearly a generation of people living fascinating and inspiring lives, and we can all learn from their energy, fortitude, and relentless passion.\u201d<\/p>\n For a full list of Inspirational Generation winners, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.9″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px”]<\/p>\n Jowett Court is fully sold, however there are similar Retirement Living developments nearby including:<\/span><\/p>\n Both developments offer spacious, high-end\u00a0properties that have been designed exclusively for those over 60.\u00a0Each combines\u00a0the best in modern living and low-maintenance design,\u00a0offering access to shared facilities including landscaped gardens, a communal coffee lounge and a guest suite for visiting family and friends.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.9″]<\/p>\n\n