Living to 100 years of age | interviews with Centenarians | Victorians | TV Eye | 1986

This is a cutdown version of the original programme. Please note all the interviews with centenarians have been included
'TV Eye' Carried out the first ever survey of 100 centenarians - one of the questions asked was. Why do they think they have lived until at least 100?
Reporter: John Withington
First shown: 16/01/1986
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Quote: VT35110

[@jamiew6438]

The Welsh gentleman sitting by his open fire looked so cosy and proper , a working class man who wore a tie everyday like my grandfather who was born in 1912 . I love seeing real life Victorians talking and walking .

[@ImNotCreativeEnoughToMakeUser]

I remember my late great grandmothers 100th. Truely amazing woman. It's been almost a year since her passing at age 104. RIP Augusta H. (1917-2022)

[@McIntyreBible]

5:23, this 100 year old lady is going to check on another woman in her 70's

[@brandonvescovo1735]

"'Lightning,' they called me back when I was working - not sure what they would call me now. 'Thunder,' I think!" There's such a wholesome, brilliant wit to that joke.

[@calebm9000]

The British wit and humor (usually underlined with crippling depression and negativity) never ceases to amaze me.

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

So, in the UK: 300 Centenarians in 1956 3000 Centenarians in 1986 13,330 Centenarians in 2019 That is truly incredible and a testament to medical science + the NHS + improvements in living standards across the board

[@dommidavros2211]

Wow!!! Those are the most incredible statistics I've EVER heard!!!! 😱😱😱

[@c.saigir3456]

There was still an NHS in 1956

[@heresjohnny602]

It's a testament to many things but to call it a testament to an organisation that has funneled cash to the very top for over 40 years to the detriment of others is unreal.

[@joblogos2367]

@@heresjohnny602 What organisation are you on about?

[@heresjohnny602]

@@joblogos2367 😐 NHS.

[@uck8978]

I just love such talks with old folks - always curious what they think, how they contemplate, what they say...

[@uck8978]

@Legion yes, right, but they grew up in a different time, at a different pace as well...at times with somewhat different values/society - this makes an impact on how they think, what they treasure most... this is what I meant

[@thefairhairedboywiththered2951]

Those centenerians born before Jack Ripper and survived into the computer age.

[@marknestbox]

Wrong. To have been born before JTR, allowing that he was aged 20 in 1888 when he went on his killing spree, the centenarians would have had to have been born in 1868, and would have been 100 in 1968, and the computer age was most definitely in its infancy and not available to the public in daily life. All that aside, no one knows who Jack the Ripper was, and so cannot work out his birthdate, he may have been 60 years old, and therefore born in 1828 or thereabouts, so no centenarian would have been around by the mid 1930's.

[@evaflorentia3998]

@@marknestbox I think he meant before Jack the Ripper happened

[@evaflorentia3998]

@@marknestbox and additionally it’s pretty much guaranteed that jack was Aaron kravinsky (I think that is his last name?), his dna was found on Catherine eddowes clothes in the late 90s but nobody ever talks about it. Aarons occupation was as a butcher, and the dismemberment of the victims was very professional and precise. On top of all of this, he was known in the community to viciously hate women, and a lot of their women had their uteruses cut out (perhaps an attempt to “unwoman” them since he hated women?). Finally, he was declared insane and spent the last of his life in a mental asylum, in the 1890s, so Aaron was not of stable mind.

[@TrueBrit1]

Lord Shinwell died in 1986 aged 101. His great-niece is the former MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Luciana Berger.

[@THALASA]

4:30, Guy really regrets saying that. He should rest easy knowing that this footage is being watched 40 years later by thousands of people on every continent.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

“By talking to people you get information.”

[@Fionnghalaigh]

Wonderful Footage of a generation we could learn great wisdom from. The accents are great too.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

they're all gone now sadly, and it's the young presenters and interviewers from this program who are now drifting into that "old and wise" demographic... make of that what you will

[@philiplee7604]

@@MostlyLoveOfMusic Very well said! Reminds us how time passes so very quickly.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

@@philiplee7604 sure does eh

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

@@MostlyLoveOfMusic sad but unavoidable. That instant passing of lifetimes of everyone of us.

[@francesm5978]

I love talking with old people. They can tell us so much. I loved talking to my grandmother and mother and dad who lived in the 20’s to the 80’s and 2000’s. So interesting. What historical events they lived through, the depression etc. we should all show respect for these people.

[@TrueBrit1]

5:00 - they were all great, but this lady was so sweet. A long gone generation - to think that they were all around 60 when WW2 ended and quite likely any grandchildren they had would have died by now and quite likely any great grandchildren they had would likely have their own grandchildren now! Great film.

[@anthonyherstell8569]

5:30 to 6:15 is inspirational. Kindness to others, community spirit and putting friendship before money.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

The secret of living to be a centenarian: don’t die.

[@rssmdb1]

What amazing lives these people must have had; they saw it all...the advent of aviation, two world wars, depression, mass production of the car, television, first man on the moon, Concorde, MTV, the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall...the 20th was such a fast changing century

[@dommidavros2211]

Although the Berlin wall wouldn't fall until 3 years after this was filmed!

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

I really don't think that any of them would have been aware or cared about MTV 😂 what a bizarre idea!

[@RetroGameWalkthrus]

Just a quick note, I believe the welsh gentlemen sat in front of the fire was called John Evans- if this was filmed in 1986 he would’ve been 108/109. He went on the live until 1990, passing at age 112 years and 296 days. That makes him the 2nd longest lived British man ever at the time I’m writing this comment 33 years later. What an incredible innings. Age is caused by a number of factors but one of the biggest is genes- those with long lived parents tend to live long themselves. It’s fascinating.

[@simoningram8081]

Takes 20 mins for a bar graph to load on the high tech computer

[@m_d1905]

That was a power system back then too.

[@milestone_achiever4634]

My goodness . That Thames intro brought me back!!!

[@AnnabelleJARankin]

So familiar yet so long ago now...

[@thetoysofchildhood]

Such fascinating interviews! Amazing to think what their ages would be TODAY🥰

[@mattfisher694]

135 assuming they weren't older than 100 in 1986. Sadly they were probably all gone by 1990

[@MultiOranuch]

Longevity is the gift of life... And stay health until 100 years old is Gift in life. Great and thank you for sharing. Best wishes from STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN

[@jasonayres]

Thoughtful and Insightful interviewees. A respectful interviewer.

[@jeffmoore4266]

good heavens.60yrs down the pit.hard life

[@grioulaloula8594]

4:57 Love Miss Gray’s response!

[@harddriven1344]

May they all R.I.P.

[@McIntyreBible]

5:23, this Centenarian was in good shape. I know people in their 60's who can't walk without a cane!

[@SMGJohn]

Which is probably why they reached a 100 and those 60 year olds wont reach even 70

[@iseegoodandbad6758]

They probably had cancer or injured themselves poor beings!!

[@Charles-hy6gp]

They must suffered a stroke which left them frail

[@abcdefghijklmnop]

For Context, there’s around 15,100 centenarians in the UK now (in comparison to 3000 then)

[@Align500pro]

Citation???

[@newtonwhatevs]

They all have beautiful accents, it's like music to my ears.

[@missseveri3512]

1986. My birth year!

[@jedidalek]

Don’t know why they’re showing that lady Lego its for ages 7-99.

[@gabriellaj.o.6180]

Fab. Rest in peace record breakers xx

[@tina5203]

How lovely they all were !!

[@richardtheeighth4431]

Yeah and they became centenarians without ever staying at a "spa hotel."🙄🙄🙄

[@philiplee7604]

Especially, the lady who said, her secret to longevity was “ being kind and not deceiving anyone “

[@tina5203]

@@richardtheeighth4431 Go away and take your sarcastic comment with you !! 🙄🙄🙄

[@richardtheeighth4431]

@@tina5203 Hi Tina, thank you for taking the time to respond, that was very thoughtful. Where would you suggest I "take my sarcastic comment?"💡Camping is an enjoyable recreational activity. (😉) Perhaps you'd like me to "go on holiday at a campsite and spend all my time cooking" and use the paper that you've written your highfalutin comments to start camp fires?🤔🤔

[@tina5203]

@@richardtheeighth4431 I’m Not interested in your ridiculous and sarcastic comments so let’s hope you will be able to grasp this Fact !! 🙄

[@mikeq5807]

So he quit smoking at 98, that's funny. I never took it up. George Burns smoked a cigar till past 100. Oh yeah, polish off that whiskey and rum to live a long life (tongue in cheek.) Funny what they think causes or aids longevity. Personally, I'm only 62, but I say it's genetics, exercise and keeping the stress down. Peaceful mind.

[@fatlad5090]

basshead got a job

[@richardtheeighth4431]

He is either AWOL or MIA since January 29, 2021?

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Or probably got fired from one

[@HardyTempestsWildCampsandWalks]

God bless em.

[@Knappa22]

Listening to Mr Evans made me cry. Reminded me so much of my Dadcu (Grandad). The strength of that accent - wow. You don’t hear many like that anymore. And the Bible verses in Welsh were so alive to him. These people all seem beautiful within - modest, moral, serene. When asked if he wanted to live longer, Mr Evans said: “Well, as it please the Creator, I suppose. It is at his leisure I am now… aye.” 🥲🥲🥲

[@bandicootcollector]

Damn, Lord Shinwell died about 4 months after this aired.

[@gavinbarnes6310]

She only worked 40 years ? Incredible

[@SMGJohn]

The old Welsh guy by the fire, his accent sounds like Norwegian English LOL

[@iseegoodandbad6758]

What a soft sweet speaking country boy!!

[@NaomiBrady-im4yi]

God bless them all very special people 💚💚💚

[@renaebailey82]

I like elderly people as friends

[@Englishman-Abroad]

Whoops. I’m screwed 🙄. Still I’ve had a blast 💥

[@whatbringsmepeace]

Love the way the old guy says "I've got no sex desire at all," when asked if he missed having a wife, as if that's the only reason you'd have one. What about love or companionship?

[@m_d1905]

I caught that too. I think he was upper class so perhaps that is what he felt a woman was for. Different type of culture in his day and age.

[@whatbringsmepeace]

@@m_d1905 I'm pretty sure there are a proportion of men out there that feel that way today, but they're clever enough to disguise it with 'love'. Colour me cynical 🙂

[@m_d1905]

@@whatbringsmepeace Definitely plenty that still do. I just wasn't shocked by the attitude based on his station and time period.

[@janetdiesnis456]

@@m_d1905 he was brought up in poverty , which he mentions, one of numerous children and left school at 11.

[@dismith73]

There were an estimated 15,120 centenarians (people aged 100 years and over) in the UK in 2020

[@AbsoluteRangatira]

The ladies are gorgeous ❤

[@michaelgoulding6609]

very few people live to 100 ,infact a lot of people don,t even get to see retirement, the part of the graveyard near me that was used in the 1980s/90s, most age,s at death were in there 80s, & the part of the graveyard getting used now in 2022, most are in their 60s & quiet a lot younger than that, with very few in their 80s, so when they say we are all living longer, then i don,t know where at, retirement age should be lowerd or atleast of stayed the way it was, men 65 women 60, the gov want us to work until we drop.

[@jakecavendish3470]

It seems anyone who lived through the war tended to live quite long. The generations born after the war aren't living as long as their parents

[@Sam-cz2bz]

When the UK used to make meaningful documentaries

[@Patrick3183]

When the UK was meaningful

[@s.deegan3740]

Elsie Mears is funny af. Love her!

[@LFCdoesnotmeanFSG]

I would like " To see what's on the other side of the Hill" .🤔

[@gabriellaj.o.6180]

Love the welsh gentleman x

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

What is that trilled accent -- from 9:12 ?

[@williamporter8718]

Welsh

[@groovypullet2337]

Very very Welsh!

[@SMGJohn]

Welsh but sounds Norwegian as fuck LOL

[@VikasKapil35]

Some of his pronunciations sound like Indian English as well... 😁

[@seanmills8321]

A generation that I solute

[@ChrisGitaka-lq1fw]

Solute!

[@mattfisher694]

The welsh mans parents were already in their 40s when he was born if they died in their 80s in the 1920s!

[@Knappa22]

Depending how far into their 80s they were, they could have been born in the reign of William IV. Boggles the mind!

[@clowncarqingdao]

Interesting. I work hard but enjoy my job so have no stress. Simples.

[@janeeire2439]

4th January, 1886- 26th November, 1995.

[@jakecavendish3470]

The alcohol thing is interesting given very very few women of that generation drank

[@gaminglegend]

Today's centenarians are old enough to be the kids of these centenarians

[@tonyinit8488]

God love them but this only strengthens my resolve -at 80 ill blow it all in Vegas.... zimmerframe, tablets, nappies, flat cap and false teeth will be found beside a squandered pension book..... cc tv footage of events will go viral..... Rock and roll

[@marclaw4511]

If you make it, it is a toss of a coin,50/50 simple as that.

[@renaebailey82]

My nan lived until 90

[@deanolaurence3932]

Thunder I think 🤣🤣🤣

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

now I know why women live longer ;) because they don't marry hahaha the old chap says he has no desire for sex! that could be another reason for longevity.

[@michaelmassaro6694]

6:03 something better then money....but today's people think nothing is better then money, they just forgot loyalties

[@3DSgeek]

They'd weep if they saw what happening to the UK and Europe.

[@YorickReturns]

Would they? They went through some really tough times. Generally life has got much better.

[@Black.Sabbath]

@@YorickReturns Speak for yourself.

[@Dunky80]

Personally I think they would love life today. Going through 2 world wars with huge poverty around the world. You just don't know how lucky you are.

[@dommidavros2211]

Ah so there ARE still people who are still alive from the Victorian times!!! And I thought they'd all died! These people were born in the 1880's!!! Why the Hell don't they do a folllowup to see what they're doing now?

[@izzzzz00]

The interview was taken in 1986, unfortunately they all have died 😔 current oldest person is a Japanese woman name Kane Tanaka who is 119 now (born in 1903) she too was born more than a year after Queen Victoria died

[@dommidavros2211]

@@izzzzz00 - What??? Don't be so negative!! They're all clearly alive or they wouldn't be talking on here! The idea of death really winds me up! When the Hell will someone at LEAST prove an afterlife so we have something to look forward to!! I'm SO f***ing sick of this idea of an eternity of nothingness!!

[@Black.Sabbath]

🤦🏼‍♀️

[@wolfblitzer1981]

Is bass head dead 🤔

[@theH0UNDSofD00M]

Hopefully I will also quit smoking at 98... Id take that right now with both hands! Sorry, single handedly, as I'd have a spliff on the other hand 😅

[@lilacDaisy111]

What a WASTED opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of life around the turn of the century!!! So dissapointed! :-(

[@user-yq3nu5hd6n]

Can you go imagine Future People living to 135 , question is Would you like to live that long Suppose important Health Just a thought Ps Today there are hundreds of genders to choose Anything can happen

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Manny Shinwell died the year this came out.

[@notthatdigusted7468]

RIP she seemed like a nice person.

[@diggintheblueswithaparrot1329]

@@notthatdigusted7468 it’s a man.

[@brokensilence6790]

I wonder what they're all doing now.

[@jasonayres]

".. Don't get around much any more.." 🎵🎶

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

who? the centenarians? from 35 years ago?

[@samnicholson5051]

Oh I'm sure they're still hanging in there

[@Anthonyinkz]

Waiting for god

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

All of them gone by 33 years ago

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Basshead gone

[@richardtheeighth4431]

Vanished into thin air on January 29, 2021?

[@sarahlouise7163]

genetics

[@garychilver7642]

People getting to 100’ more people in the world more chance of people getting to 100 more like

[@seano0o415]

The generation of open fires...but they never smoked! 😂😂😂 oh yes they did, but they just didn't know it - topped with smog and everyone else smoking around them as it was the status quo.

[@mindblast3901]

No Covid 19 BS

[@mrwood4557]

Cue in the name, they didn’t have Covid 2019 in 1986 idiot lol

[@goodnightmyprince6734]

They had something much worse...Spanish influenza

[@CM_Burns]

first sorry basshead

[@jennytaylor3324]

😮😁

[@richardtheeighth4431]

The last confirmed sighting of basshead was on January 29, 2021 on Thames Tv Video titled: Watergate | Richard Nixon | Impeachment process | Tom Railsback | This Week | 1974. KZbinrs whom responded to basshead's usual 1st comment were Bill Reztip, ModMokkaMatti, mark lawton and myself. Whilst it is out of character for basshead to go AWOL, how ironic is this of a situation for him to disappear during this "Watergate" moment. I ask has anyone reported basshead to plod at the Missing Persons Unit, should anyone missing him want too?

[@CiBi1968]

@@richardtheeighth4431 I think he might have gotten stuck under the bridge ..... 🌉🌉🌉🌉🌉🆘🛒(-ey)

[@richardtheeighth4431]

@@CiBi1968 Lol, time ran out ⏰🏃the wheels🛴 have well and truly fallen off.🦼🔚

[@richardtheeighth4431]

@@CiBi1968 (S)💯😉🆒️

[@sirhcffoh294]

They lived to see Mike Tyson become the youngest heavyweight champion.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

I’m certain that for all these centenarians, born in the Victorian Age, the profoundly momentous historical event which you mention finally offered the full contentment and meaning which their lives were theretofore lacking. 🥊 👊🏿🤛🏿🥊