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Christine Webber originally trained as a singer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama but had to re-think her career plans when her professor commented: ‘Your voice is ok, but your legs are very much better!’ Musical theatre beckoned. There was some success. But not much.
However, eventually, in 1978, she became a news presenter for Anglia TV. At last, she had found something she enjoyed that other people thought she was good at. It was such a relief that she stayed for 12 very happy years.
Next, she embarked on a freelance TV career but additionally became an agony aunt for various publications including TV Times, Best, BBC Parenting, The Scotsman and Woman. During her ‘problem page’ years, she also trained as a psychotherapist and started a small practice in Harley Street.
Over the past thirty years, she has penned 12 non-fiction books but recently she’s abandoned fact for fiction and written four novels in which the vast majority of the characters are 50 and over. She says: ‘this is such a rich and transitional period of life, and we all want to read stories about people of our own age. There used to be so little in contemporary literature about older individuals, but I am trying to remedy that’.
Christine’s speaking career has spanned interviewing artists such as Sir Bryn Terfel at the Royal Opera House, proposing the motion at a debate at the Oxford Union, chairing medical conferences at The King’s Fund and other venues and a large number of book events with authors including Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Carol Drinkwater and Lady Glenconner. Now that the pandemic is (we hope) over, she has embarked on a whole series of talks on Positive Ageing. In these, she covers a range of topics that help people of a certain age to maximise their chances of staying as fit, vibrant, happy and healthy as possible.
Now 76, herself, Christine is passionate about Positive Ageing and writes a column on the subject across six newspapers in East Anglia and has also made over 30 video podcasts which are on her website (www.christinewebber.com)
She is a widow. In her spare time, she has taken on the voluntary role of Chair of Norwich Chamber Music, which brings world-class musicians to East Anglia. She keeps fit by walking at least 20 miles a week and taking classes in Pilates and ballet.
About Their Talks...
I am a stand-alone presenter – so do not require any technological help. I do sometimes bring some props though. I mostly talk on Positive Ageing and how to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I begin by discussing my own interest and how I became involved in focusing on this subject. My talk covers many headings including improving your balance, humour, diet, exercise, mental attitude, improving your memory, avoiding pitfalls that can lead to dementia. It is likely and upbeat and, hopefully, inspiring .
Fee:
Usually £100 for Norfolk and Suffolk. Further afield – happy to travel but generally charge £150 plus expenses if further than 100 miles.