A day to go down in history! Newbury care home residents visit Army Flying Museum

Residents at a care home in Newbury enjoyed a journey back in time during a visit to an Army Flying Museum. 

The team at Care UK’s Newbury Grove, on London Road, organised a special trip for residents to visit the Army Flying Museum, in Stockbridge. 

During their visit, residents received a guided tour of the museum, where they were able to look at memorabilia and reflect on their personal experiences with the museum’s team of volunteers. 

Among the visitors was Barry Smith who had a 40-year flying career.  Barry served with the RAF for 12 years where he flew amongst other crafts, Wessex helicopters and Beverley planes. Upon leaving RAF Barry joined BOAC and spent the rest of his career flying commercial flights around the world. Barry said that it was amazing when he considered the difference in the construction of the planes we saw today and those that he flew during his career.

Commenting on the visit, Newbury Grove resident, Bob Nicholson, who spent his National Service at St. Eval Air Base working on Sunderland planes, said: “The planes looked tiny compared to the huge craft I worked on – the planes were so big and complex that you specialised on a specific part of the plane alone”

Adarsh Kurian, General Manager at Newbury Grove, said: “At Newbury Grove, we’re passionate about creating enriching experiences for residents that bring joy and stimulate meaningful memories. 

“This visit to the Army Flying Museum was not only a chance for residents to reconnect with history, but also to share their own stories from a time that shaped so many lives. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the visit which was a truly special day for everyone involved." 

Newbury Grove has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, including its own cinema, hair salon and café.