FISH and chips, sun and plenty of smiles were the order of the day for residents of two care homes who spent a day by the seaside with local people from Blackbird Leys.

About 40 elderly people from the Oxford estate and further afield piled on to a coach at 8.30am on Wednesday for a day trip to Swanage in Dorset.

The day out was the brainchild of local social group Friendleys, which has recently developed a close bond with Balfour Road care home Longlands.

Residents and carers from Longlands, as well as Townsend House in Headington, another home run by the Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), enjoyed the day.

Friendleys founder Liz Helliwell, 71. said: “We wanted to do this trip because everyone wants to go to the seaside.

“It took months to organise, from finding a coach we could afford to deciding where to go, to getting all the groups together.”

Speaking after the trip she said: “It has been good. The people from the care homes have got some fresh air and going to the coast cheers them up no end.”

Following a three-hour journey there was no shortage of smiles as the Oxford cohort stretched their legs on the beach.

Some opted to break off and hunt for a stick of rock at shops along the seafront, while others explored Swanage’s vintage railway under their own steam.

Residents from the two Oxford care homes spent most of the day lounging on the pier in the sun.

Longlands resident Jean Phillips, 81, dabbled her feet in the sea and said afterwards: “It was wonderful, although I chickened out of going in. I enjoyed all of today.”

Younger sister Aileen Webb, 79, came with the Townsend contingent and looked on with an ice cream. The sisters grew up in Oxford and both worked for Oxford University Press in their younger days. She said: “I go to see Jean a lot – we have always kept in touch. But it’s nice to have the day out.”

Greater Leys resident Pete Carter, 62, a former sailor and then a bus driver, relived fond memories of Swanage throughout the day.

He said: “I last came here as a driver eight years ago. It’s changed quite a bit but not lost its character. We came here when I was in the Navy on HMS Whitby. I had 12 years’ active service and spent most of my young life by the sea on fishing boats and trawlers. Every time I go to the seaside it brings back masses of memories.”

After a fish and chip supper the group returned to the coach, arriving back at Blackbird Leys Community Centre at about 8.30pm.

Carers from Longlands praised the Friendleys group, which is also currently campaigning for an adapted minibus for their residents in memory of Leys councillor Val Smith.

Home manager Vilma Collaku said: “It’s brilliant that the community from Blackbird Leys has come together and included us and Townsend as well. It has been a brilliant day that will impact the wellbeing of everyone at the home. We would not be able to do it without the support from Friendleys.”

Friendleys meets on Wednesday mornings at the community centre in Blackbird Leys Road.

Call Liz Helliwell on 07810 047819 for more information.