If you like to see things in black and white, then grey power is not for you.

The UK charity WRVS has released its Gold Age Power List that aims to “open the eyes of the younger generation to the value, wisdom, dedication and talents of those aged 66 years or over”.

Never was that more needed, as so many societies have a horrible habit of writing off people when they are past the standard retirement age.

The list is about as colourful as it gets, and covers practically any field you can think of, from academia and science to business, fashion, sports and entertainment. It includes:

• Naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who at the grand old age of 85 is presently writing and presenting Frozen Planet, a new BBC TV series on the impact of climate change on polar regions.
• Dr Robert Winston, 70, professor of science and society and emeritus professor of fertility studies at Imperial College London. His research led to the development of gynaecological micro microsurgery in the 1970s and developments in reproductive medicine in endocrinology and IVF.
• Oxford University professor Richard Dawkins, outspoken atheist and author of The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene. Dawkins, 70, continues his life’s mission of educating the masses about evolution and genetics, and to root out religious dogma wherever he may find it.
• Britain’s Queen, of course, who at 85 has a reign second length only to Queen Victoria’s, and who last year carried out more than 400 engagements.
• Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, 70, who continues to work hard for his £4m a year salary.
• Jilly Cooper, 74, described as the “queen of bodice-ripping romance”

One problem with the UK list is that it lacks “ethnic diversity” somewhat, as Geraldine Bedell, who chaired the judges, has pointed out.

That wouldn’t be the case in this country. I look forward to someone compiling a local list.  SA would certainly prove a variation of the bard’s quote that “age cannot wither them, nor custom stale their infinite variety”.

Tags: #Frozen Planet, #Jilly Cooper, #Manchester United, #Queen, #Richard Dawkins, #Robert Winston, David Attenborough