
Two Kendal pensioners were astonished to meet up again for the first time since primary school when they joined a group on a bus day trip to Windermere.
Brenda Parry and Barbara Chorley – both 79 – hadn’t seen each other since they were pupils at the old Castle Street School in Kendal 68 years ago.
The chance encounter happened on a Grand Day Out organised by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire which treated pensioners to an open-top bus trip to Windermere and afternoon tea at the World of Beatrix Potter.
Barbara and Brenda were among a group of around 20 pensioners who were invited to enjoy the day as part of a collaboration between Stagecoach and Age UK South Cumbria.
It took place in the middle of Loneliness Awareness Week which highlights the isolation some pensioners can feel in later life. Age UK research shows that nearly one million older people across the UK often feel lonely with one in 10 saying they visit the supermarket just to have a chat with the staff or other shoppers.
Loneliness Awareness Week is about creating small, meaningful moments and random interactions to help each other and reduce feelings of loneliness in our day-to-day lives.
Barbara said she was astonished to bump into Brenda after so long. She said: “I saw this lady smiling at me and I recognised the face, but I couldn’t think who it was. We were at primary school together so we haven’t seen each other since we were about 11.”
Brenda said she immediately recognised Barbara despite the decades that had passed since they last spoke.
“I went over and introduced myself and we had a bit of reminisce about the school and we’re going to keep in touch now. We’ve not stopped talking today and we’ll have to arrange to go out again.
“When I lost my husband I was feeling a bit isolated so I took up the opportunity to volunteer with Age UK. Loneliness is such a terrible thing and we should really be doing more about it.”
Sally Wroe, 72, said the day had encouraged her to use her bus pass more to explore the Lakes again.
“It was nice to get on the bus knowing that there was somebody there to make sure you’re okay. I’ve had a series of illnesses recently and haven’t been using the bus a lot, but today has been brilliant and has boosted my confidence again.
“We’ve had good company and being on a bus is a very sociable way to get out and about – you always get to sit next to somebody and chat. It’s a grand day out.”
Suzanne Ambrose, social engagement officer with Age UK South Cumbria, said the trip had given pensioners a chance to make new friends.
“It’s been a fabulous day for everybody – they have all thoroughly enjoyed it and have got to meet new people. Some of them have not been out a lot and it looks like they have made some new friends.
“People do get more isolated with families living further away and maybe they have been bereaved so having the chance to chat outside different groups and the opportunity to go out has been wonderful,” she added.