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Mr Chalkley worked as a miner at Sharlston Colliery before becoming
an industrial relations officer for British Coal and retiring at the age
of 59.
His daughter, careers advisor Beverley Aitcheson, encouraged him to
start studying for his degree at the age of 68.
He said: “She told me, ‘You’re too young to be vegetating, why
don’t you go for a degree?’ I have been studying ever since.”
“I was particularly interested in health and social care because
I’m 73.”
Mr Chalkley’s wife, Maureen, said: “He has always been clever but
he hasn’t always had the opportunity to use it. As he has got older he
has been studying different things.”
“He deserved his degree. He spent nights and weekends doing homework.
We had to build our holidays around his studies but it’s been worth
it. We are very proud of him. It was tremendous to see him get his
degree.”
The grandfather-of-four was presented with his degree alongside 400
other students at a graduation ceremony in Harrogate on Saturday.
His wife, son and two daughters were there to see Open University
chancellor Betty Boothroyd give him his certificate.
Mr Chalkley said: “I was emotionally drained because I was so
happy.”
16 May 2005 |
