--- title: Our Top Seven Most Inspiring Grandparents – Revealed! description: To celebrate over two thirds (66%) of youngsters admiring their grandparents more than celebrities, meet our top seven most inspirational Grandparents. image: https://blog.stannah.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/papershake-origami-1024x743-1.jpg --- - Stairlifts & homelifts - Stairlifts & homelifts - [Stairlifts](https://www.stannah.com/our-stairlifts) - [Homelifts](https://www.stannah.com/our-homelifts) - Servicing & aftercare - Servicing & aftercare - [Services](https://www.stannah.com/servicing-aftercare/services) - [Aftercare](https://www.stannah.com/servicing-aftercare/aftercare) - The Stannah story - The Stannah story - [About us](https://www.stannah.com/about-us) - [The Stannah promise](https://www.stannah.com/about-us/stannah-promise) - [Satisfaction guarantee](https://www.stannah.com/about-us/satisfaction-guarantee) - [Customer reviews](https://www.stannah.com/about-us/reviews) - [Accreditations](https://www.stannah.com/about-us/accreditations-awards-memberships) - [Partnerships](https://www.stannah.com/about-us/partnerships) - [Contact us](https://www.stannah.com/contact-us) ![English](https://blog.stannah.com/hubfs/templates/england.svg) United Kingdom Menu [Account](https://www.stannah.com/sign-in) [Basket](https://www.stannah.com/basket) ![English](https://blog.stannah.com/hubfs/templates/england.svg) - [Log in / Register](https://www.stannah.com/sign-in) - [Blog](https://blog.stannah.com) - [Corporate website](https://corporate.stannah.com) - [Commercial lifts](https://www.stannahlifts.co.uk) - [Careers](https://www.corporate.stannah.com/careers/) [Call us on 0800 715 485](tel:+44800715485) [Lifestyle](https://blog.stannah.com/tag/lifestyle) # Our Top Seven Most Inspiring Grandparents – Revealed! 2 May, 2019 ![](https://resources.stannahlifts.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/papershake-origami-1024x743-1.jpg?width=800&name=papershake-origami-1024x743-1.jpg) To celebrate over two thirds (66%) of youngsters admiring their grandparents more than celebrities, meet our top seven most inspirational Grandparents. From Britain’s oldest footballer to an anti-ageist activist, these passionate and positive perennials are kickstarting our ’70 over 70’ collection – a list of inspiring later lifers with incredible stories to tell. **1. Dickie Borthwick** – **The** **UK’s Oldest Footballer** Eighty-three-year-old, Dickie Borthwick is our most inspiring oldie having played in over 1,600 games since 1948. To celebrate Dickie’s positive attitude to later life and passion for the sport [we created a nine-foot-tall paper replica](https://www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk/press-releases/old-age-rebels-inspiring-millennial-generation/) of him. ![Papershake Origami project for Stannah](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/papershake-origami-1024x743-1.jpg?width=640&height=464&name=papershake-origami-1024x743-1.jpg)   **2. Grandma Williams** – **Blogger and Anti-ageist Activist** Eighty-year-old grandmother Joyce Williams has taken up [blogging to document her life and experiences](https://grandmawilliams.com/) of everyday ageism. Her attitude to ageing is inspiring, as she fights back against the often negative image of later life. ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/grandma-williams-1.jpg?width=640&height=694&name=grandma-williams-1.jpg) **3. Agnes Rainbow – Foster Mum to Over 100 Children** Agnes Rainbow, a 71-year-old from Bedford, has won Fabulous Foster Mum of the Year [having fostered over 100 children](https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8791985/foster-mum-of-the-year-agnes-rainbow/). Her passion for helping vulnerable children and young adults is inspiring. ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Agnes-Rainbow-foster-mum-716x1024-1.jpg?width=640&height=915&name=Agnes-Rainbow-foster-mum-716x1024-1.jpg) **4. Hilary Forde-Chalkley – Achieved Masters Degree** Eighty-two-year-old gran of two Hilary Forde-Chalkly [gained a master’s degree in creative writing](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/gran-82-earned-dream-masters-13935557), 67 years after leaving school. She has since started to write a romantic trilogy. ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Hilary-academic-1.jpg?width=810&height=539&name=Hilary-academic-1.jpg)   **5. Barbara Peters – The UK’s Oldest Ballerina** Grandmother of eight Barbara Peters is [Britain’s oldest ballerina](https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/13/meet-britains-oldest-ballerina-celebrates-81st-birthday-8340173/). Now 81, Barbara has danced her whole life but decided to return to lessons in 2015. She is now motivating other oldies through her new Silver Swans initiative. ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Barbara-UKs-oldest-ballerina-1.jpg?width=540&height=810&name=Barbara-UKs-oldest-ballerina-1.jpg) **6. Bob Weighton – The UK’s Oldest Man** At the grand age of 111, Bob Weighton is [England’s oldest man](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/768589/england-oldest-man-bob-weighton-hampshire-uk-alfred-smith-perthshire-latest). He’s still very active, making windmills and ornaments from recycled wood in his workshop – all while keeping up with his three children, 10 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren! ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Bob-Englands-oldest-man-1.jpg?width=620&height=413&name=Bob-Englands-oldest-man-1.jpg) **7. Bill Frankland – Britain’s Oldest Doctor** Bill Frankland is the [UK’s oldest doctor](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/dr-bill-frankland-oldest-doctor-107/) at the age of 107. The grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of three qualified before the birth of the NHS and is yet to fully retire. ![](https://blog.stannah.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Britains-oldest-doctor-2-1.jpg?width=1347&height=842&name=Britains-oldest-doctor-2-1.jpg) ### Latest Blogs #### [![](https://resources.stannahlifts.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/stannah-grand-designs-live.webp?height=100&name=stannah-grand-designs-live.webp) Rethink residential design with Stannah at Grand Designs Live 2026](https://blog.stannah.com/rethink-residential-design-with-stannah-at-grand-designs-live-2026) #### [![Stannah engineer supporting a customer following Stannah being named a Which? Recommended Provider for stairlifts in 2026](https://2103714.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2103714/hubfs/Stannah%20-%20Which%20RP%20supporting%20image.png?height=100&name=Stannah%20-%20Which%20RP%20supporting%20image.png) Stannah named Which? 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