Youngsters from a Wrexham primary school brought Christmas joy to a local care home when they visited to sing carols for the residents.<\/p>\n
The pupils of Gwersyllt Primary School rekindled their partnership with the Pendine Park care organisation\u00a0 which had been interrupted by the pandemic and there was a double family connection to celebrate too.<\/p>\n
Among the carol-singers were Ellie Mai Williams, 10, whose mum, Sharon, is a life enrichment practitioner and nail technician with Pendine Park, and Brooke Filmer, 11, whose big sister, Laura Shone, is a staff trainer.<\/p>\n
It was a return to Pendine Park for the school after a three-year break and they performed to delighted audiences in the Seren Lounge and then in the Highfield care home with the promise to be back soon.<\/p>\n
Ellie Mai and Brooke both sang solos and afterwards resident Coral Pickard, from Connah\u2019s Quay, said: \u201cIt was lovely. It was brilliant. I\u2019m 88 and that was another wonderful memory for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt my age you collect those memories. It was gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assistant Headteacher Jacqueline O\u2019Toole said: \u201cThe children used to come here every week and do arts and crafts with the residents but since Covid we haven\u2019t been able to and this is our first visit for three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pupils really enjoy coming here and get so much out of it. They say coming here to Pendine is one of the most special things they do so we\u2019re delighted that the arts and crafts visits will resume next term.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharon Williams said she had been listening to daughter Ellie Mai practising for the visit and added: \u201cI think I know all the words to the carols myself now because she has been singing them so much.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been here for six years and really love my job \u2013 I used to be a teaching assistant\u00a0 but my mum had breast cancer and I just wanted to give something back so I volunteered here for 12 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cI paint nails and give hand massage and I got the job after some of the residents wrote to Pendine Park on my behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
Highfield Manager Tracey Smith said: \u201cThis is the first time the school have been able to come back since Covid and it was wonderful to have them here again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe residents love the music and the singing \u2013 you can see it in their faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all very festive here. We try and make it as Christmassy as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n