Ann Beatty and Jude Tisdall live at New Ground, the first (and only) mixed tenure development for women over fifty in the UK. A book, Our Later Years, commissioned and published by Bloomsbury, tells the journey and story of how New Ground came about, alongside the stories of the individual women who live there. Ann and Jude introduce the book – but also talk about the importance of encouraging the next generation of women to plan and think about their future lives.
Ann Beatty plays an active role in community life at New Ground; as Company Secretary, Chair of the Management Committee and Convener of the Membership Team. Professionally, she is Chief Executive of the Steve Sinnott Foundation and UK National Coordinator for UNESCO ASPnet, working internationally to advance inclusive, quality education for all. Alongside her work, Ann is a ceramic and glass artist inspired by nature’s colours, textures and the transformative magic of the kiln. Her recent solo exhibition, The Masks We Wear, explored identity and belonging. A contributor to Our Later Years, she is passionate about creativity, community and encouraging more women to explore cohousing.
Jude Tisdall is a native of Dublin – moving to London in her early twenties Having spent the better part of her professional life as an educator, Jude was Deputy Principal of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts for many years. She is also a teacher of the Alexander Technique. As a free-lance tutor and educator, she has worked in Nepal, Denmark, and Ireland. Jude moved into New Ground in December 2016 and is an enthusiastic advocate for promoting co-housing, sharing the experience of living in a co-housing community; the benefits and challenges. Jude is currently on the Management Committee at New Ground and leads on the Buildings and Communications Teams
