Yesterday I spent my 50th birthday paddling in the sea and walking along Aldeburgh beach. It was lovely, the weather was perfect and I had Mr Chalk with me. So it couldn’t have been better really.

I have been reflecting on what this number means to me. Many people see one’s 50th as a milestone and in some ways it is. For me, it does seem to bring in a new era, with the eldest son going off to university, the younger one starting sixth form and my practice growing and evolving at the same time. I am very fortunate that I seem to have reached a time of stability in my life, financially and careerwise, as well as being able to enjoy more time with Mr Chalk, and without the children in tow (not that I don’t love them both to bits).

I have always felt that age should not be a limiting factor, and this is a very firm belief.

Mr Chalk and I decided to go the pictures on my birthday, and we went to see a film called ‘Ping Pong’ at the marvellous Aldeburgh cinema. The film was a documentary about world championship table tennis for the over 80s (yes really!!), and was awe-inspiring. It centred on 6 characters, the eldest of which was a wonderful Australian lady of 100 years of age who was an absolute demon table-tennis player, travelling all over the world to championships, and enjoying every moment. Another chap, Terry, from the UK, had suffered cancer three times, as well as being asthmatic, but did not let these things interfere with his competitive spirit.

After the film, we were lucky enough to have an audience with its director, Hugh Hartford, and he brought our attention to the mind/body link. It seemed that, in spite of these wonderful characters’ great ages and all the associated problems, their minds were able to focus solely on the game and this seemed to allow physical limitations to be forgotten. I noticed that there was almost a meditative quality, once play had begun, and it was clear that this simple well-loved game could have the most amazing therapeutic benefits. Mr Hartford confirmed that, since the film’s release, he had heard of a number of nursing homes installing table tennis tables for guests to use. Perhaps table tennis should be on prescription!

Anyway, the real point here is that age really is just a number, and there is no limit to what the body can achieve if the will is there. The mind is much more powerful than we think, and through using it in clever and imaginative ways, we can do things that we never thought possible.

So, maybe you might see me in 50 years time at the Senior Olympics. Better start training now…..

Wendy x