Vintage fun as Winchester care home residents step aboard 1940s-style steam train

Residents from our Winchester care home were inspired by VE Day to take a 1940s-style trip on a vintage steam train.

Scroll down to watch highlights from our special day on the Watercress Line!

The party, from Abbotts Barton, joined fellow passengers to travel in style on the ten-mile (16 km) Watercress Line from Alresford to Alton.

It was a special day on the line with stations along the route festooned with red, white and blue bunting and passengers and volunteers dressed up in period clothing to add to the atmosphere.

Among those from Abbotts Barton happy to take a seat and wave a Union Jack to passers-by was Edna ‘Ruth’ Williams.

The 90-year-old was especially interested in the trip as she used to travel to school on the Watercress Line from Alresford to Winchester.

Ruth said: “This trip has brought back so many happy memories for me. And I remember everyone celebrating the end of the war so clearly, it was a special day to be part of.”

The Worthy Road home also held a tea party to commemorate VE day, a further chance for residents to share stories and memories.

Several had visited Trafalgar Square in London when news broke that the war had ended.

Dorothy Fendrick, who was in London working for social services on the day, said: “I remember the happy atmosphere. There were so many people. We were all very emotional, singing and dancing in the square. It was quite a remarkable sight.”

Abbotts Barton Home Manager Dee Lovewell said: “Both the trip on the Watercress Line and our in-home party gave us the opportunity to do VE Day proud.”