## Care Home Residents Bring the Beach to 104-Year-Old Local Hero
In the heart of Swansea, a simple wish led to an emotional day of joy, nostalgia, and community when Margaret Chegwin, lovingly known as Peggy Jones, experienced the magic of the seaside without leaving her care home. As she nears her 105th birthday, staff at The Old Vicarage in Sketty found an extraordinary way to grant Peggy’s heartfelt desire — to “feel the sand between my toes one last time.”
Margaret, who served as a local councillor in Mumbles for over three decades and was recognised with “The Honour of Mumbles” in 2017, has always held the seaside close to her heart. Her late husband’s career as a sea captain and the years they spent running the Beach House hotel in Swansea only deepened this connection. With mobility no longer on her side, her wish to revisit the shoreline seemed a distant dream — until the care team, moved by her story, conjured up the coast within the home’s walls.
Unable to physically transport Margaret to her beloved beach, the staff leapt into action, determined to recreate the quintessential seaside experience. The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Sand covered the floors, murals graced the walls, and decorations from crab pots to lobster traps infused every sight and scent with memories of the sea. Community donations added to the authenticity, proving just how much one person’s legacy can inspire collective kindness.
“It simply broke my heart,” explained Martina Scorer, activity coordinator at the home. She recounted how, during routine chats with residents about their dreams, Margaret’s softly spoken wish inspired a wave of creativity and compassion. “We couldn’t take her to the beach, but we could make the beach come to her. She even made a cheeky remark about hoping the seagulls wouldn’t steal her chips.”
It wasn’t just sand and scenery. To stir up their fondest holiday memories, the team organised a ‘swimming competition’ with residents designing their own costumes, laid out traditional crispy chips, and even arranged for local ice cream van Sheena Wheels to give free ice creams. There was laughter and singing, with entertainer Chris Caine performing familiar seaside tunes, and staff donned sailor outfits and lifeguard uniforms to complete the holiday illusion.
A special guest, Monty the pony, also joined the festivities, providing a dose of pet therapy — a thoughtful touch that further elevated spirits during the day. The event, which saw tears of joy from Margaret, was clearly about much more than sand and seaside snacks. It was a celebration of a remarkable life and a testament to the indelible value of shared memories, especially as residents painted swimming costumes and reminisced about their own childhoods by the sea.
Reflecting afterwards, Margaret was deeply moved. “I’ll never get to do this again, so I want it to last,” she told staff while soaking her feet in the sand. For all present, it was clear this act of kindness had created something uplifting — not just for one cherished centenarian, but for all who call The Old Vicarage home.
Preparations are now underway for Margaret’s upcoming 105th birthday, set to be marked by a Great Gatsby-style celebration that promises more music, costumes, and joy. Care manager Maria Dufty expressed her excitement for the occasion, highlighting the determination of staff to continue creating magical moments for their residents.
Stories like Margaret’s serve as poignant reminders of the importance of listening closely to the wishes of older generations, and the power of community in bringing those wishes to life. For many in Swansea, it is a shining example of kindness and creativity — and proof that sometimes, the most memorable journeys occur without ever leaving home.