“Ageing can be a time of growth and possibility”

Photographs showing that age is no barrier to active living go on display on College Green throughout August, as part of a new drive to persuade older people to make bolder fitness choices.

No Limits uses giant weatherproof frames to showcase around 35 images, by Bristol-based photographer Alex Rotas, of champion athletes aged 55 and above and of locals participating in health and fitness activities from tai chi to Parkrun.

The exhibition is being mounted by Active Ageing Bristol, a collaboration between Bristol Sport Foundation, St Monica Trust and the 250-year-old Bristol philanthropic charity The Anchor Society.

Alex Rotas’ photographs demonstrate that age is no barrier to active living. Above: Team GB hurdler Barry Ferguson, 77

Alex hopes that the images will challenge widely-held misconceptions about growing older – and encourage fresh thinking on what older people can do to stay fit, healthy, engaged and happy.

“These pictures prove that at 60, 70, 80, 90 and above, the human body is capable of a lot more than most of us think,” she explains. “But I recognise that we can’t all be record-beaters and medal winners. These images of everyday Bristol seniors demonstrate that it’s possible gain physical, mental and social benefits from any level of physical activity.”

The oldest of the champion athletes featured in the exhibition is Man Kaur, still competing internationally as a shot putter at 103. Another is Bristol’s own Anne Dockery, 71 this year. A member of the GB team that topped the medal table at the most recent World Masters Athletics Championships in Spain, Anne regularly runs 1500m in well under seven minutes.

Bristol’s Anne Dockery, 71, part of the team that topped the medal board at the recent World Masters Athletics Championships

The show coincides with the publication of Active Ageing Bristol’s new directory, listing locations where older people can take part in age-friendly physical activities. The exhibition also builds on Bristol’s recent designation, by the World Health Organisation, as an Age Friendly City.

“‘Ageing’ has some depressing stereotypes associated with it,” Alex continues. “Think of the words that come to mind: ‘frail’, ‘dependent’, ‘doddery’, ‘confused’, ‘forgetful’, ‘lonely’. A lot of the images people use as shortcuts to represent older age reflect these words: wrinkly hands, walking sticks and Zimmers, an older person sitting in a chair smiling up at the younger person caring for them, care-home circles of chairs around a TV with elderly people slumped in them.

India’s 103 year-old shot putter Man Kaur

“These stereotypes are patronising if you actually are an older person – and simply depressing for anyone younger. Who’d want to get old if this is what lies in store?”

But these popular images are also, says Alex, just plain wrong. “I photograph people 60+ who are still competing, nationally and/or internationally in the sport they love. Older competitive athletes present a very different visual story to the stereotypical one: these ‘elderly’ folk are joyful, empowered, strong, focused and full of life, challenging themselves right through to their late 90s or even beyond.

“I’m determined to spread the word that ageing can be a time of growth and possibility,” says Alex, whose role as ambassador for Active Ageing Bristol has her photographing local grassroots activities put on by the group. “It’s a time to make new friendships and to broaden horizons and a time to challenge ourselves physically, on whatever level is appropriate for each one of us.”

No Limits is on display on College Green from Aug 1-28. For more info, visit alexrotasphotography.co.uk

Pictured top: Pentathletes Dorothy and Brita. All pics: Alex Rotas

Read more: “We need to change perceptions of ageing in Bristol”