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| Selina Scott's socks and the pensioners of Yorkshire | Selina Scott's socks and the pensioners of Yorkshire |
| (7 months later) | |
| Some people used to be sneery about TV news presenters, especially the women involved, unaware of the complications involved in getting a short programme out clearly and on time. | Some people used to be sneery about TV news presenters, especially the women involved, unaware of the complications involved in getting a short programme out clearly and on time. |
| One of those who got fed up with this attitude, and associated, pernicious ageism, was Selina Scott, who made the sensible decision some years ago to move her base from London to the wild and beautiful open spaces of North Yorkshire. She was born in Scarborough, sensible woman, daughter of a police sergeant and a journalist and grand-daughter of the editor of the Malton Herald. | One of those who got fed up with this attitude, and associated, pernicious ageism, was Selina Scott, who made the sensible decision some years ago to move her base from London to the wild and beautiful open spaces of North Yorkshire. She was born in Scarborough, sensible woman, daughter of a police sergeant and a journalist and grand-daughter of the editor of the Malton Herald. |
| Among other things, she farms Angora goats near Ampleforth and turns their fleeces into socks, which are now being used in an Age UK campaign in the county called Spread the Warmth. As you get older, you become more interested in these things, but younger readers might bear their grandparents in mind when it comes to keeping warm over winter. | Among other things, she farms Angora goats near Ampleforth and turns their fleeces into socks, which are now being used in an Age UK campaign in the county called Spread the Warmth. As you get older, you become more interested in these things, but younger readers might bear their grandparents in mind when it comes to keeping warm over winter. |
| Age UK has adopted the Selina Sock as a symbol of its annual reminder that things can get very chilly and even the most robust elderly person may be more vulnerable than they appear. The group says: | Age UK has adopted the Selina Sock as a symbol of its annual reminder that things can get very chilly and even the most robust elderly person may be more vulnerable than they appear. The group says: |
| The broadcaster's stylish lines of socks are not only sought after in fashion circles thanks to their ethical production and durable mohair but are life-savers for her many customers who swear by them to keep their feet warm and cosy through the winter. | The broadcaster's stylish lines of socks are not only sought after in fashion circles thanks to their ethical production and durable mohair but are life-savers for her many customers who swear by them to keep their feet warm and cosy through the winter. |
| On average, each winter, there are nationally around 35,000 excess deaths, many of which could have been avoided by taking simple measures. Age UK is hoping that by letting older people know about the serious risk to their health posed by the cold weather, it can help reduce this waste of life. | On average, each winter, there are nationally around 35,000 excess deaths, many of which could have been avoided by taking simple measures. Age UK is hoping that by letting older people know about the serious risk to their health posed by the cold weather, it can help reduce this waste of life. |
Scott, who still broadcasts, writes and campaigns against discrimination against older people in the workplace, adds: | Scott, who still broadcasts, writes and campaigns against discrimination against older people in the workplace, adds: |
| Age UK North Yorkshire has a very important campaign and it seemed like a perfect fit to use the unique qualities of my socks to help raise awareness. Every older person deserves to be protected from the potential life threatening consequences of the cold. It's more than helping vulnerable people stay warm. It's about raising the profile of Age UK in the community, and encouraging others to look out for elderly neighbours. | Age UK North Yorkshire has a very important campaign and it seemed like a perfect fit to use the unique qualities of my socks to help raise awareness. Every older person deserves to be protected from the potential life threatening consequences of the cold. It's more than helping vulnerable people stay warm. It's about raising the profile of Age UK in the community, and encouraging others to look out for elderly neighbours. |
This doesn't mean that we all have to wear goat socks – or that the Guardian Northerner is getting a cut for each pair sold – but the woolies stand symbolically for any warm wear which the elderly and other vulnerable people can get in hand. It's a Yorkshire thing, too. Scott's socks use mohair, not far related from the alpaca which Sir Titus Salt first spun on a grand scale in what is now the much worth-visiting World Heritage Site of Saltaire. | This doesn't mean that we all have to wear goat socks – or that the Guardian Northerner is getting a cut for each pair sold – but the woolies stand symbolically for any warm wear which the elderly and other vulnerable people can get in hand. It's a Yorkshire thing, too. Scott's socks use mohair, not far related from the alpaca which Sir Titus Salt first spun on a grand scale in what is now the much worth-visiting World Heritage Site of Saltaire. |
| Many of us, too, were brought up on the traditional Yorkshire rhyme: | Many of us, too, were brought up on the traditional Yorkshire rhyme: |
| Anne Boleyn 'ad no britches to wear So king got a goatskin and made 'er a pair Leather side out, woolly side in Eeeeh! It were warm in summer for Anne Boleyn. | Anne Boleyn 'ad no britches to wear So king got a goatskin and made 'er a pair Leather side out, woolly side in Eeeeh! It were warm in summer for Anne Boleyn. |
| Age UK North Yorkshire also delivers practical services such home visits, a telephone befriending service, day and social activities, food hampers and information and advice, reaching an estimated 4,000-plus people in North Yorkshire this winter who need help to keep warm, healthy and in touch with others. You can find out more and maybe help them, via their website here. | Age UK North Yorkshire also delivers practical services such home visits, a telephone befriending service, day and social activities, food hampers and information and advice, reaching an estimated 4,000-plus people in North Yorkshire this winter who need help to keep warm, healthy and in touch with others. You can find out more and maybe help them, via their website here. |
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