Back to school for 'the silver generation'

If the image you have of a student is that of a scruffy teenager, think again.

At the Bermuda College, you are just as likely to bump into a senior citizen heading off to class.

Perhaps they are heading to a seminar on current affairs or are about to stretch themselves at yoga, but this ‘silver’ generation is just as active as the younger one.

At the Seniors’ Learning Centre (SLC), residents over-55 can choose from up to 28 courses, ranging from Conversational French to Line Dancing, and Home Maintenance to Beauty Care for Mature Skin.

This year the SLC celebrates its 21st birthday. It aims to advance the education, interests and activities of its 800-plus membership, and with something for everyone, is ready to welcome you.

The Bermuda Sun decided to sit in on a history class to find out what makes the seniors tick.

Maybe it’s the advancing years which makes people think more about history, but Bermuda’s past holds a special fascination for seniors.

At the fifth and final lecture in the spring Bermudian Social History: Topics and Themes course, the classroom was packed with people of all walks of life.

Andrew Bermingham, president of the Bermuda Historical Society, gave a fascinating talk about the West India Regiments who served in the British Army from 1790 to 1920.

He then moved on to Bermuda’s Prisoners of War (POWs), from the War of 1812 to the Boer War, up to the Second World War.

Mr. Bermingham brought history to life with a series of slides featuring photographs and letters to accompany his many anecdotes.

Submarine capture

These included the tale of “Bermuda’s last POW”, Captain Harald Lange of the captured German U-boat U505.

Due to the sensitivity of what was on board — an Enigma machine — the submarine’s capture and that of the crew had to be kept secret until the end of the war. In the meantime the secret codes obtained enabled the Allies to pinpoint the location of other U-boats in the North Atlantic and sink them.

Captain Lange was badly injured — he had lost a leg — but was nursed back to health by Shirley Humphreys and left Bermuda for the U.S. in March 1945.

Other talks on Bermudian Social History for the spring term have included Women in Bermuda by Meredith Ebbin, Famous and Infamous Wrecks by Custodian Philippe Rouja, USS Bermuda by Don Grearson, and The Royal Gazette — Past and Present by Bill Zuill.

Next week marks the start of the World and Current Affairs series, featuring notable local speakers including former Premier Sir John Swan.

According to global experts, education is a defence against mental deterioration in later life.

Research shows learning promotes new links that provide a basis for memory and learning between brain cells.

For the seniors at the SLC, it also provides an opportunity to socialize.

Grace McCallan, 72, of St. George’s, said: “It’s an outlet from just being at home and I find it very interesting.

“It does help people living on their own because it gives you interaction with other people, especially when they have the same interests as you.

“I get a great deal of enjoyment being part of the Seniors’ Learning Centre. I’ve been coming for six years now.”

Peter Nash of Smith’s, who came to the talk with his wife Liz, said: “This course has been fascinating. So much history of Bermuda goes unrecognized so it has been really interesting.

“This is our first time at the Seniors’ Learning Centre and we are very pleased by the whole thing.”

Sharyn Finlay, 65, of Sandys, added: “I’ve been coming for about 10 years. I enjoy it because you have the opportunity to hear about things you might not otherwise. It’s very informative.”

Dianne Herr of Southampton said: “It’s nice to be around people you don’t normally get to meet, and it’s very stimulating.”