When I was young, I went to a fortune-teller and they told me I’d live to be 100. I don’t make predictions about how many more years I’m going to have. I’m lucky to be 100, but I don’t dream about getting old! I dream about dancing. I loved the old-fashioned dances – I started when I was about eight and danced five times a week into my 90s. Now I move my hands and feet and daydream about dancing. It was my passion. Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I got a birthday card from the Queen and one from, what’s his name? Iain Duncan Smith. I don’t know who he is.
I’m lonely because I can’t go out much. It takes all the time cleaning my place, getting my meals. I like reading. I don’t do much television, just news.
I had two brothers and one sister. My sister is 96 but she’s very poorly. She’s in bed all the time and it’s hard work for her daughter.” Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I was a member of quite a large family, my mother, my father and five children. I am the last one. I feel very old sometimes. [Laughs] Other times I feel I could do anything, you know? Quite good really.
My fingers are completely dead now. I can’t do up buttons. I used to do a tremendous lot of needlework. I taught it for dressmaking and now I can’t even hold a needle!
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
Oh yes! I had a card from the Queen. I love the Queen! She’s never put a foot wrong. So I think I’ll be dead in a few weeks because I’ve reached over 100 now... I am finding life very hard. I’m very low in spirits. I don’t socialise like I used to. There’s only one place I want to go and that’s to die. I want to die now and be with the Lord, because what else is there to live for?
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
It’s in the genes, I suppose. My mother was 94 and my eldest sister was 96. Granny was 97. I’ve kept my brain active. I read and do crosswords. And I have a little shot of whisky at bedtime. I think that helps.
If it wasn’t for my daughters, I’d have to have somebody in every day, but, you see, Maureen has showered me today and Jan’s washed my hair. They keep me clean, that’s the main thing. I’ve treated myself to a little scooter that I can get out on, in the fresh air. I don’t like sitting all day. I take every day as it comes. Each one is a bonus. Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I survived the concentration camps, and this is something extraordinary. Thousands and millions that had to die, and we are sitting here. When we are old, we are aware of the beauty of life. Young people take everything for granted. It all depends on the character you’re born with.
Everything I forget. Even if I write it down, I forget to look. I had an excellent memory and now, I’m an idiot! [Laughs] What do I do against it? I learn Bach by heart and play the piano. My son died aged 64. He was a gifted musician, and a wonderful son. My only child.
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
Phyllis That’s one thing, I’ve still got my senses, where some poor souls, as they get old, they don’t. Shall I do some acrobatics now?” [Laughs]
* Phyllis was born in 1908. Since this photograph was taken, she has passed away.
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I’m going to live to 120! I had a party and champagne at 100. Actually, I can’t remember much of it, as I’d had a lot to drink.
I was engaged once, but I never met... well, I knew what I was looking for and I found it, but too late. He’s a professor. Of course he’s married. And I can’t imagine he’s the sort of person to go off the rails. Not that I wouldn’t want him to. I’m not saying I’m that good!
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
My husband and I had a very happy marriage, but unfortunately we had no children. We did nothing to prevent them, they just didn’t come along, so that was that. You can’t make things like that happen.
I’m quite happy to be here and be looked after. I’ve got a good outlook. There is a big tree. Very often I sit here and watch the wind and the weather. Sometimes I wonder how much longer I can go on as I am, but there you are. What is to be will be...
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I was an artist but stopped when my husband became ill. I had to watch him and I couldn’t paint at the same time. I’d go to find him and he’d just be sitting, gazing. It was the start of his Alzheimer’s.
I am very happy with my family life, it’s nice to see the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But I miss going for long walks in the hills. If he saw a mountain, my husband always had to get to the top of it. He pushed me up in front!
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
[Points to a picture] There’s my father’s ships! And there’s my whole family. I had three brothers and five sisters. We’re all Brixhamites, we are. There’s only me left.
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I was born on the moors and walked two miles to school every day. I left school at 14 and worked on the farm. I’ve been a Methodist all my life and played the organ for 75 years, until the chapel closed.
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
I don’t get by, I exist from one day to the other. I’m hoping for the end to come. I’m tired of it. Why should it be like this? Not a penny in my purse! I’ve worked 74 years.
Why am I here? I’m waiting for God to straighten this out. I should be home! My husband died while I was in here. I never even got to his funeral. It doesn’t matter. I’ve been a decent girl, never drunk or gone with men. I’ve just lived and worked like a silly fool.
Supported by A Better Life programme, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Can we live happily in older age?
Photograph: Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum
