Older people led masterclasses in skills such as dressmaking and breadmaking at GrandFest, a one-day festival in east London
Thousands of people came together for GrandFest on 18 June to celebrate the knowledge held by older people and to learn skills that organisers say are becoming less common.
Now in its third year, the event hosted more than 20 classes at restaurants, pubs and shops around Spitalfields Market. Each class was run by a festival GrandMaker – all of whom are over 70 – and skills included quilting, wood turning and cider making.
It is very important to pass on the older traditional skills that are disappearing
“It is very important to pass on the older traditional skills that are disappearing,” said 77-year-old GrandMaker, Clive Lillow. “My great grandma was a big commercial baker in Wales and I like making bread the same way she made bread. It was great to share my passion with the younger generation.”
The festival was hosted by older people’s charity the Royal Voluntary Service, which helps more than 100,000 people each month connect with others and keep active.
Image: Royal Voluntary Service
