A COUNTRY pub has popped up inside a care home to give its elderly residents a proper local to relive their youth in.

Kings Court Care Centre, on Kent Road, West Swindon, opened the Kings Court Arms in the former living area, complete with a fully licensed bar and a range of classics playing on the stereo.

The aim is to rejuvenate the social lives of residents, helping them rekindle old memories and giving those with mobility problems the chance to catch up with friends in a sociable environment.

Iris Whyeburd, aged 90, stepped forward to cut the ribbon to officially open the new venue.

“I think it’s lovely, it brings back lots and lots of good memories. It reminds me of the war times,” she said.

“I don’t go to pubs anymore but I will come out here to have a sing song.”

Mary Lishnan, 88, added: “It’s absolutely wonderful, now the old people can enjoy themselves just as much as the youngsters.”

The idea to introduce a country pub came about after staff at the home held a gin festival in September.

Jenny Blake, King’s Court manager, told the Adver: “For the people who live in our home, one of the things they miss is having a community pub they can visit.

“It was off the back of the gin festival that it really kicked off,” she added.

“People were asking if we could bring the pub to us, so that’s what we did. It’s becoming a real hub within our home, to reminisce and to have some fun.

“The aim is for everyone of our residents to have a proper pub to visit with their families.

“Really it’s going to be the heart of the home, so everybody who can’t go out on day trips can visit the pub.”

The pub has pumps, courtesy of Arkell’s Brewery, and is fully licensed to serve alcohol thanks to the homes activities coordinator who used to work in a licensed venue.

“Everybody has been having a great time, “ said Tanya Merryweather, the activities coordinator.

“It’s great to see them all singing and dancing together

“All the families like it to come and have a drink, especially at special occasions and events. “Every resident that we have can’t believe it. It looks like a proper pub. Certain families have requested to hire out the room.”

Special mention was paid to Dave Marlyn and Will Scott, the on-site maintenance team, who did most of the work to install the pub’s bar and redecorate the room for the launch.