When Jean Ford was a young woman, she was offered a spot at Cambridge University, but circumstances kept her from attending.
Now, decades later, she, 78 and her husband, Lewis, 85 — self-described “geriatrics” — are heading to England for a weekend course at the university.
From March 7 to 9, the Fords will delve into the world of Anglo-Saxon archeology — exploring everything from daily life and housing to food and leisure from that time, while also engaging with historical artifacts.
The local couple has always had a vested interest in learning, evidenced by their combined five degrees between the two of them.
“One of the first things Jean ever said to me when we met was: ‘A day in your life in which you’ve not learned something is a day wasted,'” Lewis said, adding that they have always had the same interest in history, too.
Jean and Lewis’ love for history is why they continue to live in a town with as much historical significance as Niagara-on-the-Lake, Jean said.
“This course in Cambridge just dovetails everything together perfectly,” Lewis said.
The course costs 1,000 pounds per person and will include several sessions on Anglo-Saxon life over the three days, Lewis said. The Anglo-Saxon period of England took place from the fifth century to the 11th century.
The couple will stay and dine with other Cambridge students during the course.
The experience is about more than just learning for Jean — it’s about finally stepping foot into the university.
“I always wanted to fulfill my desire to go to Cambridge,” she said.
One day, she may even turn the knowledge she gains from this into something larger on paper.
“I’ve certainly thought of writing a novel based on Anglo-Saxons,” she said.
But for Lewis, “The joy is in acquiring the knowledge.”
When the Fords told friends and family about their upcoming journey, it received positive feedback. “They’re very happy for us,” Jean said.
But not everyone is on board with the trip — their Siamese cat, Empress Maddy, has been giving Jean and Lewis the cold shoulder, Jean said.
The couple encouraged other seniors in town to take advantage of “lifelong learning” at Cambridge.
“There’s a lot of seniors in this community,” Jean said. “If they see that there’s a possibility for lifelong learning with different interesting courses, they might be interested.”
Whether others would travel all the way to England for it — like “crazy people” — is another story, Lewis said with a laugh, proudly calling himself and Jean “geriatric party animals.”
