Neigh bother – Newbury care home residents surprised with horse drawn carriage

Residents at a care home in Newbury were thrilled to receive a special surprise from some four-legged friends.   

Knowing how many animal lovers and former horse riders there are at Care UK’s Newbury Grove, on London Road, the care home team decided to organise a unique treat in the form of a visit from a horse drawn carriage.  

Residents were surprised with a trip to Bucklebury, where a horse and carriage from Celebration Carriages collected them from the home and took them on a tour around the village. 

The carriage took them through the Berkshire countryside, including through Bucklebury Common.

Resident Sheila Clarke was especially pleased to take the ride as she has ridden and looked after horses since she was a little girl. She said: “The journey was lovely!”

Barbara Newell, another resident at Newbury Grove, added: “What a lovely trip – it was absolutely wonderful to be out in the fresh air and to see some of our lovely countryside. Riding through the woods brought back special memories of taking my children out to play when they were little.”

Resident Yvonne Cundy also commented: “It was a lovely time – the scenery is gorgeous at this time of year and to go through a ford was very exciting. I had experienced a carriage ride many years ago while on a trip to Southern Ireland and it brought back some magical memories for me.”

Adarsh Kurian, General Manager at Newbury Grove, said: “We’re always on the lookout for new and exciting activities for residents here at Newbury Grove.  

“It was wonderful to see the residents faces light up as they were toured around the Berkshire countryside in their very own horse and carriage – something that many of the residents had never experienced before.  

“On behalf of the team and residents, I’d like to extend our thanks to Celebration Carriage for allowing us to spend the afternoon being whisked around the countryside – everyone had a wonderful time!”