Margaret Marsden
Former cook and nurse, Margaret Marsden returned to learning when she was 75 to help her promote and sell her new children’s book. Since then, she has enrolled on a number of courses that have been a huge benefit to her health, her outlook and her writing.
Margaret has taken part in a variety of courses, including Tai Chi, Talking about Books, Romantic Music in the 19th Century, Science Meets Christianity and Starting a Small Business. She has even overcome her fear of computers through an IT course.
After sending the book to 13 publishers, it was finally accepted and published, 2,000 copies were produced and Margaret promoted it in schools in the UK and in America – when she was visiting family.
“If I hadn’t taken part in these courses, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to move onto tackling my next project, which I am passionate about,” said Margaret. That next project is part of Lancaster University’s Senior Learners’ Programme, where she has carried out independent research to write another book – called Origins and the Meaning of Life, which is about a much bigger and more challenging theme – the origins of the Universe.
“I’ve also been motivated by various lectures and courses I have attended, particularly those on Galileo and his philosophy, and critical reading and evaluating articles. The subject matter is something that has inspired and motivated me to continually learn more. [Learning] has helped me to keep young and has benefited my health.”