An ageing society
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:50 am
The very sad announcement about the passing of long time members of our society serves to remind us does it not that we are a hobby top heavy with senior citizens. I have first hand knowledge of that from my local branch where young blood is rare.
Its the same in one of my other hobbies-competitive chess. I have been a member of the national federation and local association for almost 50 years. During those years I have seen the membership grow old and to make the point I mention that five of my chess playing friends have passed away in the last 2 years(Old age-not covid related). Others have stopped playing. I have been playing the same people for decades in the local league and at Chess tournaments.
Both in the local BCSS branch and the chess clubs I have been seeing the same faces year on year for many decades.
Its the same in my other hobbies, model boats and engineering clubs. Membership stagnating. Very top heavy with senior citizens like myself (in my 70's)
Is there an answer? I doubt it, society has changed, not for the better, and many activities are not being taken up by younger generations. I guess all we can do is enjoy what we have while we have it before it withers on the vine and dies.
Collecting cacti/ succulents and study them is a very rewarding past time that need not be expensive or time consuming and its a message we need to get across to others. I also think its important to make the point, in these politically sensitive times, that it is entirely possible to have a good and varied collection devoid of any habitat collected plants.
Not trying to be controversial just offering some thoughts.
Its the same in one of my other hobbies-competitive chess. I have been a member of the national federation and local association for almost 50 years. During those years I have seen the membership grow old and to make the point I mention that five of my chess playing friends have passed away in the last 2 years(Old age-not covid related). Others have stopped playing. I have been playing the same people for decades in the local league and at Chess tournaments.
Both in the local BCSS branch and the chess clubs I have been seeing the same faces year on year for many decades.
Its the same in my other hobbies, model boats and engineering clubs. Membership stagnating. Very top heavy with senior citizens like myself (in my 70's)
Is there an answer? I doubt it, society has changed, not for the better, and many activities are not being taken up by younger generations. I guess all we can do is enjoy what we have while we have it before it withers on the vine and dies.
Collecting cacti/ succulents and study them is a very rewarding past time that need not be expensive or time consuming and its a message we need to get across to others. I also think its important to make the point, in these politically sensitive times, that it is entirely possible to have a good and varied collection devoid of any habitat collected plants.
Not trying to be controversial just offering some thoughts.