When the cameras stopped rolling at Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village, no one quite expected the legacy Old Hands, New Tricks would leave behind.
The BBC documentary, presented by Rose Ayling-Ellis, set out to explore whether British Sign Language (BSL) could empower older people and change the way they connect. Months later, it’s clear: the answer is a resounding yes.
Heralding much of this transformation is 64-year-old Mark, who stepped into an entirely unexpected role—as the community’s de facto BSL leader.
A former RAF navigator, Mark initially joined the classes alongside his wife Tina, one of the programme’s featured participants. But after the filming ended, Mark continued where the cameras left off. Despite never planning to teach, he now runs weekly BSL practice sessions for a dedicated group of around 20 residents, helping them build confidence and fluency week by week.
“We raised some money to bring in a qualified tutor for formal lessons,” Mark explains, “but alongside that, I hold a weekly group where I put everyone through their paces. It’s become a real fixture here.”
The learning hasn’t stopped. It’s only deepened. There are now three structured sessions each week, often followed by homework and revision in the evenings. The group started with the basics—alphabet and numbers—but quickly moved on to everyday communication, including hosting a signed bingo evening that brought residents together in new ways.
Her confidence has grown remarkably since the show aired, culminating in Tina recently receiving a Level 1 BSL qualification—a proud moment not just for her, but for the entire Hughenden community. She’s one of five residents to achieve the certificate, alongside several staff members, with many more actively learning.
But the real story is what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. Hughenden has since become a hub of deaf awareness and inclusive communication. Mark and Tina have led the way—establishing regular classes, encouraging others to join, and helping to embed BSL into the culture of the retirement village.
