Joan Bakewell’s personal story of our times – The Tick of Two Clocks, In conversation with Douglas Rae

When Joan Bakewell decided that she could no longer remain in her old home, she had to confront what she calls ‘the next segment of life.’

Disposing of things accumulated during a long life, saying goodbye to her home and the memories of more than fifty years and thinking about what is needed for downsizing – all suddenly became urgent and emotional tasks. Then there was managing family expectations, some new projects such as planning the colours and layout of a new, smaller flat, were exciting and some things – ridding herself of books, paintings and mementos – took courage.

So much of the world is on the move – voluntarily or not – and so many people are living to a great old age. In using the tale of her own life, Joan Bakewell tells a story of our times and how she is learning to live to the sound and tune of The Tick of Two Clocks: the old and the new.