Widowed pensioners fall in love again at 88 in gym

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 12:57 · Archive

Barbara Thompson, 89, and Fred Jenkins, 88, have fallen in love after meeting at their retirement village gym in Birmingham.

Widowed pensioners Barbara Thompson, 89, and Fred Jenkins, 88, have discovered love after meeting at the gym in New Oscott Retirement Village in Birmingham. Both had lost their long-term partners and thought romance was behind them.

Retired carer Barbara moved to the village a decade ago after her husband died of cancer in 2007. Ex-Army PT instructor Fred has lived at the facility since it opened in 2010, and his wife died three years ago. The pair first met when Barbara accompanied a friend to the gym. After her friend stopped attending, Barbara continued going and Fred began training her.

Their gym sessions became a regular date. Fred said: 'When my wife passed away, I just thought that that's the end of the world now. I never ever thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever have another partner and neither did Barbara. The gym was the first time we had interacted together. She started with some low weights and built up. It basically turned into our date schedule. We were lonely and then we found each other.'

He described their relationship as 'an adventure' and 'a whole new ball game'. Initially Barbara found the village 'as though I lived in a hotel', but gradually formed friendships and became involved in activities including Tai Chi, bowls, dominoes, gardening and darts. The village is operated by ExtraCare.

How it is being reported

• 'We found each other': West Midlands pensioners, 88, find love again after meeting in the gymTheir long-term partners both passed awayBirmingham World · 26 Oct, 12:40
• 'We found each other': West Midlands pensioners, 88, find love again after meeting in the gymTheir long-term partners both passed awayExpress & Star · 26 Oct, 12:40
• Widowed Birmingham retirees fall in love again at 88 after meeting in the gymWidowed Barbara Thompson, 89, and Fred Jenkins, 88, met at the gym in New Oscott Retirement Village in Birmingham and have since fallen in love, proving it's never too late for a second chance at happiness.BirminghamLive · 26 Oct, 10:45

In this story: Barbara Thompson · Fred Jenkins · New Oscott Retirement Village · Birmingham · ExtraCare

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