Marjorie’s Grand Day Out
Four generations of one family enjoyed a special day beside the seaside when aptly-named, 104 year-old Marjorie Seaman took a trip to Hastings. Marjorie, the oldest resident at Heathfield Court Care Home in Erith, Kent, enjoyed the trip to Hastings with her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, all organised by the home’s activities lead.
As well as spending time by the sea, the family paid a visit to the aquarium and sampled some traditional fish and chips..
Seaside trips have long held happy memories for Marjorie, as her frequent visits were accompanied by her late husband Albert.
Linda, Marjorie’s daughter, explained: “Once Mum and Dad retired, they would often head out for weekend trips to the coast. Southend was the closest for them as they lived in East London at the time, but they would visit different beaches around Kent and Sussex too, including Hastings.
“If they fancied a trip to the seaside they would pack up the car and go, whatever the weather, so it wasn’t unheard of for them to be sat on the beach in their coats with a windbreak around them eating their fish and chips on a cold and windy day!”
The Hastings trip was made particularly special by the presence of Marjorie’s 15-year-old great-granddaughter April. Although April spends time with her great-grandmother, it was the first time the pair had enjoyed a proper day out together.
The two shared a particularly special moment at the aquarium, with April pointing out the different fish to Marjorie as they explored. She repeatedly commented on how wonderful it was to be able to see creatures she would otherwise never have had the opportunity to encounter. She particularly enjoyed the brightly coloured tropical fish, which she’d never seen before, as well as being treated to a special display from an octopus which slid across the tank directly in front of her.
Talking about what a lovely day out she’d had, she said: “It’s amazing that we can get so many of these things here for us to see because we’d never get the chance to see them otherwise.”
For Linda, having four generations together for the day made it especially meaningful. “It was such a memorable day. It’s something I wouldn’t have been able to organise and do with Mum myself, so we’re incredibly grateful to Hannah and everyone at Heathfield Court for making it possible. It was particularly special for April to have her first proper day out with her great-grandmother.”
Hannah Tribe, lifestyle lead at Heathfield Court, said: “Bringing four generations of the family together made this trip incredibly special, and seeing Marjorie and April enjoying the aquarium together was a lovely moment.”
“Days out like this are about so much more than simply going somewhere different. They give our residents the opportunity to revisit happy memories while continuing to have new experiences and make new memories with the people they love”.
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