23/09/2026
Move over, Shakespeare! Julia’s here!
For Positive Ageing Week, we’ve been busy celebrating what makes each person at Orchard special and were thrilled to find out we have a poet in our midst!
Meet Julia. Born in 1943, Julia has a lifetime of wonderful stories to tell and loves to share them with everyone over at Chatsworth Lodge Care Home. From lifelong friendships and raising three children to a love story that started on a bus and spanned over six decades, Julia’s stories have captured our hearts.
Julia began writing poetry when she was going through a tough time and describes putting her thoughts and feelings into words as a kind of ‘therapy’. She is inspired by her family, friends, the seasons and that funny thing called life. Poetry has really helped Julia get through difficult times and is her go to creative outlet to express herself.
You can read Julia’s original poem, ‘Oldness’ below – which we love for its playful, humorous view on ageing. Julia keeps it real in her work, and we are so happy to share her voice with you.
Julia, you’re a star!
Oldness
There’s a certain state called Oldness,
Often the reason for hair loss and baldness.
Set in our ways, stubborn to boot,
Liable to moaning and a mouth to offshoot.
Advancing in years, hair a nice shade of grey,
Carefully coloured in a most subtle way.
We look to our friends, they’re just the same,
It comes to us all, we’re not to blame.
Nature replaced us with a face full of wrinkles,
Our body all saggy, folds and crinkles.
Mind full of momentary lapses.
A right OAP, qualified and registered,
Funeral plans offered, phoned up and pestered.
Like a fine w**e, a jolly good vintage,
Matured in life’s vat of senility and dotage.