I'm taking on a new lease of life by degrees! GRADUATES OF ALL AGES LINE UP TO RECEIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 23, 2008

Byline: By NICOLA JUNCAR Education Reporter

YOU'RE never too old to learn.

That's the message 76-year-old John Wilkinson is hoping to pass on to others who are thinking of returning to the classroom.

The pensioner, from Benton, Newcastle, was among 236 learners from the North East who were picking up their degrees this weekend.

The graduation ceremony for the Open University was held at The Sage, Gateshead, and for John it marked the end of a 36-year wait to put on a gown and mortarboard.

The dad-of-two, a former RAF pilot, started his first OU course in 1972 but a change in career stopped his degree studies.

More than three decades later, however, his retirement gave him the opportunity to return to the OU and he has finally graduated with a BSc in earth sciences.

He said: "I did my national service as an RAF pilot and then I worked in broadcasting for a few years. I then went into civil aviation and became an airline captain.

"I have done a lot of studying in my life, but I never did a degree.

"I retired in 2002 and I was living in a household with three other graduates - my wife and two daughters - so I thought it was about time I became a graduate, too."

He added: "My elder daughter has a degree in earth sciences so that probably influenced my choice."

Another new graduate celebrating at the ceremony was Alan Burnside, from Sacriston, Co Durham.

The 51-year-old left school with two O-levels and began his working life as a mining electrician, working six miles under the sea in Blackhall Colliery.

He first began studying for a BA with the OU while working as a driver and care assistant for Gateshead Social Services in 1986.

Alan has graduated with an MA in social science and manages a charity which provides support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Alan said: "My studies have given me the confidence to go into community development and deal with the politics involved in that."

Alan's partner, Kenneth, has also studied with the OU and the couple celebrated their 25th anniversary after Alan's graduation.

David Knight, regional director of the Open University in the North East, added: "Our degree ceremony at The Sage is one of the highlights of my year and it is an honour to attend."

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PROUD DAY: 76-year-old John Wilkinson received his BSc in earth sciences at The Sage PICTURE: ANDY COMMINS www.chroniclelive.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01317199