Wave of memories washes over elderly during seaside trip

A RISING tide of memories came flooding back to Ripon care home residents when they took a trip to the coast.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in North Yorkshire, was the coastal town of choice for those living at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road.

For one elderly resident, the town was a reminder of growing up during the Second World War, when she was almost evacuated to Saltburn as a youngster.

Joan Mears, 88, said: “It’s great to finally see Saltburn. I should have been evacuated here in the war, but it got cancelled. It is just as I always imagined it.

“I do love the smell at the seaside and the sea breeze. It really brings you alive.”

For fellow resident Richard Colley, 80, the trip was a reminder of time spent with his father. He said: “I’ve always enjoyed watching the big ships at the seaside. Me and my father did this when I was young. Coming to the seaside was a very rare family day out.”

Joyce Mortimer, 99, added: “It has brought back so many memories of being a child and taking my boys to the seaside. We have been spoilt rotten today.”

Among the highlights of the trip was a walk along the seafront and down the pier, fish and chips, and 99 ice creams all round.

Brenda Bradshaw, 88, said: “You can’t beat fresh fish and chips by the sea.”

Marie Blagden, 97, said: “Please don’t give me a fork. We had fingers before forks and I want to have the full seaside experience of eating them with my hands.”

Celia Berry, 75, said: “’This is the best ice cream I’ve had for years. A proper ice cream.”

June Carling, 86, said: “Thank you so much for a lovely day. I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

As well as residents and staff from Sycamore Hall Care Home, family members also joined the seaside excursion, sharing memories and a bag of chips with their elderly parents.

Rosemary McNulty, daughter of resident Marie Blagden, said: “’Thank you to Tessa and Jill [activities coordinators at Sycamore Hall Care Home] for organising and planning the day. I’ve had a lovely time with my mum and the residents.”

Samantha Carson, daughter of resident Celia Berry, said: “We had a fantastic trip out to Saltburn with my mum and some of the other residents. It was lovely seeing the smiles on their faces, tucking into fish and chips then later ice creams.

“I think a wonderful day was had by all and the staff were fantastic, some coming in on their days off to enable the residents to go to the seaside.”

Tessa Danby, activities coordinator at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “It’s been a lovely day to be able to bring residents out with their families and friends.

“They have all had so much stimulation from this trip. All of the residents commented on how much they enjoyed it and it brought back so many memories for them.”