Blackpool trip brings back memories for Mary and Les

CARE home staff have gone the extra mile to treat husband and wife residents to a trip to Blackpool for a walk down memory lane.

Abigail Murphy and Margaret Scott, who both work at Aaron Grange Care Home, in Huyton, Merseyside, used a day off from work to treat the residents.

They took married couple Mary and Les Story, who have lived at the home since April 2016, to their former family holiday destination of Blackpool.

The pair, who will celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary on Boxing Day, used to live close to the seaside resort town – taking their three children to enjoy the attractions.

When Abigail and Margaret heard Mary and Les talking about their memories of visiting Blackpool they offered to take them for a day trip.

Mary, 79, said: “I remember going up Blackpool Tower with my children, Karen, Margie and Paul, when they were young and making lovely memories.”

Les, 84, added: “We had a lovely day getting out together and reminiscing about all those fond memories we have.”

Mary’s brother originally introduced her to Les, when he was serving in the Army during a posting to Germany.

They became pen pals and, a short time after returning to the UK, Les visited Liverpool to see Mary and ended up staying – leaving his hometown, Darlington.

He got a job working with Mary’s father, as a mobile butcher, while Mary worked in the department of births, marriages and deaths at the Liverpool Echo.

Les then became a firefighter at Durning Road Fire Station where, he said, their motto was “if it’s burning, send for Durning”.

After marrying on Boxing Day 1959, Les and Mary spent a short time living in Cleveleys, less than five miles up the coast from Blackpool.

Abigail, activities coordinator at Aaron Grange Care Home, said: “When we heard about Les and Mary’s fond memories of Blackpool, me and Margaret used our Sunday off from work to take them back to relive old times.”

Margaret, healthcare assistant at the home, added: “They both had a lovely time, taking a stroll along the beachfront, enjoying an ice cream and seeing the sights. It was the least we could do for such a lovely couple.”