South Yorkshire care home residents take nostalgic journey through wartime Britain
North Yorkshire’s Eden Camp Modern History Museum prompted powerful recollections
Memories of loved ones who served in the armed forces were revived for Barnsley care home residents during an outing. North Yorkshire’s Eden Camp Modern History Museum prompted powerful recollections for residents from Deangate Care Home, in Mapplewell, as they explored the former prisoner-of-war camp and its Second World War exhibitions. Resident Norma Heaversedge, 97, was moved by exhibits relating to her late husband Douglas, who served in the Royal Tank Regiment under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and she found a Matilda tank similar to those used during his service.
Norma said Douglas had survived an attack on his tank in which he was the sole survivor from a crew of five, while Margaret Dymock, 90, became emotional on seeing a Spitfire and recalled her brother’s RAF service. Barry Skirrow, 86, enjoyed vintage vehicles and motorcycles, spotting the same type of motorbike on which he learnt to ride, while Norma and Joan Giggal, 93, enjoyed the 1940s music. Brenda Pratt, 92, said the Blitz exhibition “smells like it did in the war” and Martin Bradley, 66, described the museum as “a fantastic place”, adding: “I have learnt so much. Thanks to my chaperone Anne, she was brilliant and knew everything.”
The trip, for 27 residents and companions, was funded by activities coordinator Rachael Addy, who completed an abseil, bungee jump and skywalk in June for the residents’ fund. Rachael said the visit was “everything we hoped it would be and more”, while Norma added: “Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”