Margaret Nutter, a disco dancing aficionado, continues to dazzle on Leeds’ dancefloors even after decades.
Now 96, the spirited great-grandmother is championing an active lifestyle to combat the effects of aging, coinciding with a new report on enhancing longevity in the city. Margaret attributes her health and happiness to her lifelong passion for dancing. She is currently the oldest participant in Dance On, a program hosted by Yorkshire Dance. Funded by the National Lottery and Leeds City Council’s public health initiatives, Dance On aims to increase physical activity among those over 55.
Margaret’s story is among the many accounts from older residents featured in a comprehensive Leeds City Council report on aging in the community. The report, titled ‘Ageing Well: Our Lives in Leeds,’ is based on a survey of over 900 individuals aged 50 and above. It is scheduled to be discussed at the upcoming Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.
This detailed report merges survey insights with recent data and trends affecting aging, offering a set of recommendations aimed at extending the number of years people live in good health. A standout finding is the significance of maintaining activity, complemented by the benefits of social connections and overall health — elements that Margaret emphasizes are integral to her dance classes.
The great-grandmother-of-three said:
“Dancing has been big part of my life and it’s what’s kept me going. I really enjoy it. For me, the adrenalin starts and I just love it. It keeps me mobile because if you don’t you just stiffen up and you can’t do anything.”
Margaret’s dancing journey began as a teenager when a friend introduced her to the Astoria Ballroom in Roundhay, a key venue in Leeds’ dance scene. Originally opening in 1929 as the Harehills Palais-de-Danse on Roundhay Road, it became a hub for ballroom dancing in the 1940s, later transitioning into a live music venue before its closure in 1992.
Today, Margaret grooves to modern and disco music at Yorkshire Dance’s Dance On classes. Reflecting on the evolution of dance styles over the years, she remarks:
“You’ve got to go with the times. Ballroom went out, then sequence and then line dancing, but you’ve just got to carry on.
“I like really jolly music which gets you going. The classes are good for mixing with people too – we have a laugh, we’re like one big family.
“Dancing might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I think it could be most people’s. People can’t believe it when I say how old I am.”
With a third of Leeds’ population over 50 and an expected increase in the 70-80+ demographic in the coming years, the ‘Ageing Well’ report underscores the city’s current advantages and challenges, and outlines future priorities.
This report supports the council’s goal to make Leeds the best place to grow old, reinforcing its dedication to being an Age Friendly City. It assesses various factors affecting aging, such as diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, mental health, mobility, housing, employment, and financial well-being, with a special focus on improving health outcomes in the city’s most deprived areas.
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health said:
“We really wanted to shine a light on the experiences of ageing well in Leeds and what we can do to improve this further. Poor health in older age is not inevitable. Leeds is clearly a wonderful place to age well and we’re incredibly proud to be an Age Friendly city.
“But some people are experiencing ill-health from their early 50s and we know there is much more we can do to support people from all parts of the city stay healthier for longer. I hope this report is helpful in setting out how we can work together to support people to have a healthier life in Leeds.”
The report details the evolving and increasingly diverse demographics of Leeds’ aging population, noting a rise in the number of individuals over 50 residing in deprived areas. There are significant disparities in health outcomes between the most and least deprived areas, with residents in poorer areas tending to have shorter lifespans and more years spent in poor health.
Tackling these health inequalities is a primary focus for the council and its partners. The report stresses the importance of acknowledging the unique needs of different communities to help residents age well. It also highlights the need for early identification of health issues and risk factors, and the expansion of preventive support measures.
Regarding social connections, over half (55%) of the older individuals surveyed highlighted activities, groups, and local community involvement as key contributors to aging well. Among those aged 55 and older, 34 percent reported they had ‘never felt lonely,’ a stark contrast to the 4 percent who felt lonely ‘often/always’ and 12 percent ‘some of the time.’ Participants were also asked to assess their happiness, with most rating themselves an eight out of 10 on a happiness scale ranging from 0 (not at all happy) to 10 (completely happy).
The report strongly recommended creating more opportunities for active and social engagement among the elderly. Other priorities set forth included enhancing accessible and safe transportation across the city, supporting aging well in the workforce, and combating negative stereotypes and ageism.
Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for equality, health and wellbeing said:
“This report highlights the many strengths our city has in supporting us as we age but we know there is more we can collectively do to ensure people in later life continue to feel that Leeds is a place where they can – and will – age well.
“We need to challenge the perception that ageing means poor health. Everyone can experience ageing well and this report provides tangible recommendations to enable people across the city to stay healthier for longer in later life.”
To access the complete report and view an accompanying film, please visit www.observatory.leeds.gov.uk
For further details on Dance On, offering 12 classes throughout Leeds, please visit www.yorkshiredance.com
