Castle Village residents buck numbers of silver surfers
15 May 2007
Computer-savvy residents of Castle Village - exclusively for the over 55s - are bucking the trend as the number of silver surfers continues to grow.
The first series of computer classes at the village in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, proved so popular four tutors had to be drafted in to cope with the workload. And two more series of classes have been booked up within minutes of being announced.
“There was a time when the older generation were wary of computers and the internet because they didn’t understand them or how they could use them,” said David Cawley, who organised the classes at Castle Village.
“Once they’ve been shown how to email, do their banking, shop and research hobbies or holidays it’s a revelation. At least half of the residents here use the internet most days.”
A report released in time for the annual Silver Surfers’ Day on May 25 reveals 41 per cent of retired Brits list surfing the internet among their favourite ways to spend their spare time. Former favourites gardening and DIY have slipped to 39 per cent.
“The figures don’t surprise me,” said David. “So many of us here now have internet connections and, as most of us are retired, we have time to surf the net. I have neighbours who shop, book holidays, research family trees and bank online.
“Many people have families scattered not just around the country but across the world. Email is perfect for keeping in touch and some people now have webcams which is the next best thing to being in the same room.”
It is estimated there are around 600,000 websites aimed specifically at the older generation but sites such as eBay, MySpace and even dating sites like Match.com are just as popular with so-called silver surfers.
Silver Surfers’ Day, now in it’s fifth year, has become the biggest annual media literacy campaign for older people throughout the UK. Events across the country are aimed at encouraging pensioners to get on-line. “
There was a time when a lot of older people were wary of new technology but as it’s become easier to use, cheaper and more accessible computers have become virtually a must-have,” said David. “Any initiative that encourages people who haven’t used one before to give it a go is to be encouraged.”
Picture: David Cawley
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