As retirement approaches, many women look to immerse themselves in new hobbies. New friendships are made, new activities attempted, and a new enjoyment gained from joining in.
Three women from Kent wanted to kick up their heels and go dancing, and to exercise their vocal cords, so they signed up to local musical groups. But one by one they were targeted by a man who appeared to be a champion of the community - but in fact, town crier Jack Wahlberg was a sexual predator. Here, the friends tell Woman's Own how they brought a sex offender to justice.
'I was terrified he was going to rape me'
Frances Beaumont, 79, is a retired occupational therapist.
I was 72, divorced, with two grown-up children when I joined the Kent Country Folk Dancing group. I loved dancing but fancied doing more singing too, so when fellow member Jack Wahlberg, then 70, offered to give me a lift to a choir he was involved in, I jumped at the chance.
I'd seen him around, dressed in his colourful town-crier regalia. His wife was also in the folk dance group. In May 2016, I travelled with the group to a festival in Belgium. But one morning, I stepped into the lift after breakfast and suddenly Jack was beside me.
UNWANTED ADVANCES
He moved towards me and stroked my upper arms. I froze. What was he doing? I was horrified. He was married. Those silent seconds in that lift felt like hours, but as soon as the door opened, I ran to my room. I prayed it was a one-off. Surely once he saw I wasn't interested, there would be no more nonsense from him.
But back in England, in the car after choir one night, he said he wanted us to be 'special friends'. 'I am not interested,' I told him vehemently. He seemed to understand, and I hoped that we could draw a line under it.
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の January 02, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S OWN の January 02, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?