PEOPLE living in isolation in the south of Oxfordshire were treated to a coach trip to Waddesdon Manor earlier this month.

The Ray Collins Charitable Trust’s third annual coach trip saw 41 people taken on a tour of the gardens and manor house before enjoying afternoon tea at the grounds.

The trust, which supports a range of good causes in the Wantage area, hired a coach and booked tickets for the day out at the manor, a family home of the Rothschilds near Thame, where Winston Churchill stayed on a number of occasions.

Organiser Ray Collins said: “I really enjoy days like today: although they take a lot of organising and can be quite stressful on the day we all had a lovely day out. We toured a beautiful house and enjoyed a wonderful tea, made some new friends, learnt some new things and had fun day with great company.

“The day out cost £1,600 and was paid for from funds raised at the Wantage Carnival and other events run by the trust. We will continue to try and break down the cycle of loneliness so many local people find themselves in.

“Days like today are how we keep making a real difference in our community.”

One of those who joined the trip, Pam Tranter, said: “We enjoyed the beautiful house and delicious food, thank you all we had a good time.”

Arrangements were in place to deal with any mobility problems - including pick ups, wheelchairs, walking frames and additional carers - but the spiral staircase proved too much for some, with the group getting home very tired after the day’s exertions.

The group split into two for their tours of the site before reassembling for a lunch of tartlets, sandwiches and roulade, followed by macaroons, cake, scones and panna cotta.

Another visitor, Angela Huffnagle, added: “Another fantastic day out, I really had a lovely time.

“Thank you Ray and all your helpers.”