Artist Tony aims to be a picture of health
Reporter: MARINA BERRY
Date published: 07 July 2009
Photo: ANTHONY MILLER
Artist Tony Shaw (second right) hands over his painting to Hazel Oldham, who is featured in the painting, and gym instructor Stephen Chapman, with Steve Eyre, from Oldham Community Leisure, looking on.
WHEN Tony Shaw retired after a lifetime at work, he was left with what most people would consider as an enviable problem — what to do with his newly-found spare time.
“I worked for 27 years for George Dew (later named Dew Construction) until it went bankrupt, then worked for another firm for 12 months but got laid off when things were slack,” said Tony.
“That was 17 months ago, when I was 64. I was overweight at 19 stone with not much chance of getting a job, so I decided to retire.”
Since then, Tony, who lives with his wife, Margaret, in Sidney Street, Higginshaw, has never looked back, and is now one of the best advocates retirement can have.
“I knew I had to get myself occupied,” he recalled. “I had my garden and I had my dog, but I wanted something else as well.
“I read an article about Lifelong Learning and painting, which I had never been interested in, and I thought, ‘I’ll have a go at that’.”
Tony was instantly captivated with his new hobby, and before long was going to six art classes a week for everything from watercolour and pencil drawing to portrait painting — and had turned the attic at his home into a studio.
At the same time, he was warned by his GP that unless he lost weight and took more care of his health he was in danger of developing diabetes.
“I took no notice, then six months ago I went for an MOT with the practice nurse, and I was diagnosed with diabetes,” said Tony.
The news shook the pensioner into action, and he changed his diet and enrolled into the gym at Crompton pool.
He has lost almost two stone, and works out up to six times a week.
“I was a bit afraid of change at first, but it’s great, I love it,” he said.
When instructor Stephen Chapman learned he had an artist as a member, he asked Tony to paint a picture with gym members working out.
Tony was happy to oblige and that has now been handed over for display in the building.
“I have been surprised by how good a community there is in Shaw, and I seem to be slotting right in,” said Tony.
He has also been asked to do paintings for Barclays Bank’s Shaw branch, and for his barber: “My problem is I just don’t like to say no,” he laughed.
Steve Eyre, Oldham Community Leisure’s marketing and promotional manager, said: “Tony’s story really goes to show how easy it is to change your lifestyle around, using the many agencies and activities in the town to help create a fulfilling retirement.”
