School friends reunited thanks to a Stagecoach bus trip after decades apart are now starring in the bus company’s Christmas adverts.
Pensioners Brenda Parry and Barbara Chorley hadn’t seen each other since they were at primary school in Kendal 68 years ago.
So they were astonished to meet up again when they joined a group on a bus day trip in June and they are now the stars of Stagecoach’s festive campaign.
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, both 79, were among a group of around 20 who were invited to enjoy the day as part of a collaboration between Stagecoach and Age UK South Cumbria for Loneliness Awareness Week.
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.”
Barbara said: “I recognised her face, I knew it was somebody that I’d seen before. But I was just amazed that she knew my name, and then we started talking and telling each other things that had happened in our lives, all sorts of things like that. It was great.”
Brenda added: “It’s a long time ago but I just recognised her, I just knew it was Barbara. I hadn’t seen her since we were little so that is quite amazing, isn’t it?”
Stagecoach asked them to feature in their Christmas adverts, which saw them return to be filmed in Windermere and Ambleside, enjoying mince pies at local cafe, Homeground Coffee + Kitchen.
After watching the film, Brenda said: “A friend told me we were on YouTube and sent a clip of it to me. I had a look and was delighted by the video. I have had lots of friends comment and they all say how great it is. It is wonderful.”
Barbara added: “I am so grateful I got the opportunity to go on the Stagecoach and Age UK coach trip to the Beatrix Potter museum and meet Brenda.
“That trip led to other experiences at Grasmere and Backbarrow, leading to the filming of the Stagecoach Christmas advert.
“We hope we can go on Grand Days Out in the future and hopefully all meet up again.”
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “Our Grand Days Out are really important and popular events and it was such a thrill that the one in June was able to bring Brenda and Barbara back together after so long – it’s the feelgood story of 2025.
“We couldn’t think of anyone better to star in our advertising campaign for Christmas, a time of the year of course when friends and families are reunited.”
