Ain't no stopping us now... Today is Older People's Day - aimed at challenging stereotypes surrounding the so-called 'silent generation'. Claire Rees spoke to three active over 65s about what growing old means to them...: 'It's just nice to share my love of gardening'.

Byline: Claire Rees

* DOUG Matthews is 83, he lives in Ely, Cardiff, and is a volunteer gardener at his local primary school: "I don't feel old, I keep busy.

"I'm a retired civil servant and I live on my own, but I'm not lonely - there's plenty to do. I have two grown-up grandchildren and three great-grandchildren - the oldest is 19.

"I've got no complaints about being my age. "There's lots for older people to do - more than there used to be.

"I'm in an over 50s club and they run weekly talks every Wednesday morning, plus they organise four holidays a year.

been abroad with them yet but I've been to Scotland.

"The free bus pass has been a great boom - I stopped driving so it's great for me and I use the buses a lot.

"I started volunteering at Caerau Infants School because the headteacher lives over the road and asked me to share my love of gardening with the kids - I love it.

"I get them to plant seeds and teach them the magic of it.

"They get a great deal of fun out of it and I do too.

"Last week we planted daffodils in buckets and planted broad beans.

"Children want to learn and it's good for them to have contact with older people.

"Later they'll be harvesting the vegetables they've planted and will sit down with their classmates in school and eat a meal they've cooked with them. "Gardening's my thing and I'm not trying to be their teacher - it's just nice to share my love of it and be able to help out."

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* Doug Matthews volunteers at Caerau Infants School, Ely, Cardiff PICTURE: Richard