Bradford 101: People aged 90-100 on coronavirus pandemic

Peggy (Margaret) Harrison, 90, From Leeds Road

I used to go out everyday to do bits and bobs, but I haven’t missed that too much, as long as I have me telly. I get up, wash and do a few jobs, a bit of cleaning, a bit of gardening and then it’s teatime. I get a battered fish on a Friday delivered.

I do enjoy my weekly shopping trip, I missed not being able to do that at first. I like to see what is there and pick my own things depending what I fancy at the time. Nowt much different, really. I do like my own company.

Christina (Winnie) Heap, 92, care home resident, from Bradford

I am so happy to be here well, safe and sound. I miss my family terribly, but I’m in the safest place. We are really close, but we keep in contact with phone calls and Zoom calls. The carers here really do go above and beyond. I can’t wait for the day when I can see my family and hug them. That really will be a memory. I like cards, but a hug really will be amazing. It doesn’t really effect me, Covid, as I’ve already lived through a world war, so it kind of feels the same – only we can’t see what we’re fighting as its invisible. It’s lovely seeing everyone coming together through these times.

Mary Hornsby, 92, resident at Elmhurst Care Home, Undercliffe

I have had two great grandchildren born over this pandemic and I’ve not had the pleasure to meet them yet. I get photos and videos of them, but that’s not the same. I feel upset, but at the same time I don’t want them to be at risk and I want them to stay safe too. Where has it all come from and why has no one got any control over it to get rid of it so we can have a normal life again? I wonder how long it’s going to be like this. Everyone is doing a marvellous job here to keep us happy. We are all safe and that’s all that matters.

Mary Chorley, 92, resident at Elmhurst Care Home, Undercliffe

I think this is a terrible thing for everyone, it’s so upsetting. Everyone in the care home has come together as a family. Is there ever going to be an end to it? I’ve never known anything as bad as this, at least in wartime we could see our family and friends. We have made a lot of memories over lockdown, making rainbows, pictures, receiving letters and cards. We had a wonderful VE Day, which I will always remember. I am lucky that my granddaughter works here so I can see her most days.

Raymond Hibble, 93, retired art teacher, from Undercliffe

I think the most terrible thing is when you’ve got a parent or relation that’s in a home and you can’t go and talk to them or cuddle them. I feel really sorry for those people. Your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you can’t even give them a coffee on the lawn now. I’ll be glad when we can. I’ve done a spring, summer, autumn and winter painting and the one I’m doing now is my Christmas one. It’s a bit awkward now not being able to go out and paint from nature.

Rudi Leavor, 94, chairman Of Bradford Synagogue, from Heaton

While trying my best to look after myself with the help of very kind Muslim neighbours, as well as my children and grandchildren and another lady who brings my newspapers, I also do my best to keep the Synagogue going despite it being closed for the duration. The logistics of keeping a high standard of sanitation for private prayer are too great. Curiously, if we were to hold services, distancing of congregants would not pose a problem as we have so few members. In the meantime I edit a monthly magazine, The Star, in which I give a surprising amount of news.

Joan Swanson, 94, resident At Springfield Care Home, Buttershaw

I miss my friends and family and godkids coming to visit. It’s not the best situation, but we’re all making the most of it. We’re lucky to have our health and we’re happy. I’m so grateful for all the lovely carers helping and making us laugh and smile every day. They’re like my second family. We keep busy with daily activities – baking, pizza making and weekly Zoom calls to our families. The staff really go above and beyond.

Anne Smith, 95, Retired, from the Aire Valley

I was 14 when World War II started. All the schools closed, and that put an end to my career of being a teacher. But we got through it. Now I am 95 and living alone. The coronavirus situation has made me lonely, but I have good people around me. I’ve had to give up going to keep fit and Thursday Club and the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association. My family in Germany were due to visit at Easter, but they couldn’t. Age UK has helped me. I worry about young people. They should be encouraged to keep going and have faith – I hope they come out of it like we came out of the war.

Captain Sir Tom Moore, 100, originally From Keighley, raised £32 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden

When you think of who it is all for – all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got – I think they deserve every penny. I am so deeply and sincerely grateful to the tremendous British public and especially the readers of the paper for their help. You have shown me so much love. When we started off with this exercise, we didn’t anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It’s really amazing. Being knighted by the Queen was absolutely amazing. I never had such a time at all in my life. It was absolutely marvellous. When she tapped me on the shoulder, she did it so gently. She was the kindest person you could ever wish to meet.

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