'Thriving not just surviving' in over-90s capital

Dennis, who has short grey hair, black-rimmed glasses and a Hawaiian shirt, is looking at the camera and smiling. Some lilies are in a vase on a sideboard in the background, to the right.

Dennis now lives in a care home but visits Sidmouth town centre every week

Jen Smith
South West health correspondent Sidmouth

"I've got a small fridge in my room – I've cans of cocktails in there, we crack open a few in the afternoon."

One-hundred-year-old Dennis has been revealing his secrets to a long and happy life.

Sidmouth - the centenarian's adopted hometown - has the highest proportion of residents aged over 90 in England.

Recent ONS data shows that as of June 2022 there were 319 people aged 90 or above living in Sidmouth Town - 6% of the population, compared with the British average of 0.9%.

But why are so many nonagenarians drawn to the seaside resort, and what effect is it having on the town?

A view along the seafront, with shops in the foreground and red cliffs in the distance, on the left, and the beach and sea to the right.

Statistics suggest Sidmouth has the highest rate of 90 year olds in Britain

Dennis moved to Sidmouth from Kent in the 1990s and now lives in a care home.

"I love the seafront," he says.

"I love the views along the coast. I like the town too – it's not big. Everybody knows you."

He says the key to longevity is positivity.

"Always look on the bright side, try and smile a lot – I do," he explains.

"If I smile – people smile back at you. That's what's Sidmouth's good for."

Corinne, wearing a purple jacket and purple blouse, with white flowers on it, is looking and the camera and smiling. She has ear-length grey hair with a fringe.

Corinne dances twice a week in the town

The latest census also suggests the town's older population is not just surviving but thriving – with 95% of residents describing themselves as in fair, good or great health.

Corinne, 95, is originally from Yorkshire but moved to Sidmouth when her husband died 11 years ago.

"I dance twice a week... and I exercise a lot – I've got a treadmill, my cat thinks I've gone mad when I'm on it," she says.

"I knew Sidmouth through dancing – it had a great dance hall here and my husband and I loved to dance.

"We also had lots of friends here."

The former head teacher attends a luncheon club every day for a cooked lunch provided by Sidmouth Voluntary Service.

"You can sum it up in two words – care and love," she says, adding: "The volunteers go above and beyond."

Doreen, wearing a purple cardigan, is looking at the camera and smiling. She has ear-length grey hair and thin-rimmed glasses. She is sitting in a dining area with other people sitting at tables in the background.

Doreen thinks people in Sidmouth are "extremely friendly"

Doreen, 92, visited the resort for a holiday two years ago to see family and never left.

"The people are extremely friendly," she says.

"It's a nice feature – people you don't know come and chat to you.

"Being in my 90s is the worst part but being in Sidmouth… there are a lot of similar people in the same age group so I feel more at home here than I do in my own county."

Pamera, wearing a black cardigan and pink blouse, is smiling at the camera. She has short, wavy, white hair. She is sitting in a dining area with other people sitting at tables in the background.

Former professional ballerina Pamela now keeps busy with line dancing

Doreen's friend, 95-year-old Pamela, agrees.

The former professional ballerina who danced with the Royal Ballet says Sidmouth keeps her busy.

"There are quite a few clubs of various sorts," she says.

"On Monday evenings I do line dancing, plus exercise classes on another day, meals out and luncheon club of course.

"It's a very nice place. People are very friendly".

Councillor Rachel Perram, with short, dark hair, is smiling at the camera. She is standing on Sidmouth seafront with cliffs, shops, the beach and sea pictured behind.

Councillor Rachel Perram says getting on the property ladder is tricky for younger people

Of the 4,400 people living in Sidmouth Town, more than 1,000 are aged 80 or above.

Councillor Rachel Perram, chair of youth provision at Sidmouth Town Council, says this "does provide us with a problem in regards to our infrastructure".

"Our GP surgeries are rammed, hospital care at Exeter is under pressure," she explains.

However, about 850 Sidmouth residents are under 30.

"For younger people, we've just launched a new youth club, life skills courses and youth mental health provision," Ms Perram adds.

Councillor John Loudoun, deputy leader of East Devon District Council, says: "What is on offer has been designed and delivered in consultation with local young people, and that's partly the way to ensure what we offer is the right thing."

He adds it is "not quite the full picture" just think of the town as a place for the older generation, though getting on the property ladder is tricky for younger people, Ms Perram admits.

The online property website Zoopla says the average house price in Sidmouth is £411,000 – far higher than the national average of £271,000.

"We conducted a housing needs survey which proved that point," Ms Perram says.

"So we're using the results of that survey to encourage developers to build affordable housing here.

"I'm definitely confident that Sidmouth has a bright future."

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