Despite the pouring rain and freezing temperatures, the latest Grand Day Out hosted by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire brought smiles and laughter to those who attended a performance of Dick Whittington at Workington’s Carnegie Theatre.

The twenty pensioners who attended the pantomime were from T’Gether, a new non-profit organisation set up by two former Age UK employees, Ali Desovska and Jen Benbow, to support more than 80 older people in and around the Cockermouth area, who were left ‘devastated’ at the sudden closure of Age UK West Cumbria last year.

The Grand Days Out are designed to encourage older passengers to make full use of their free concessionary bus pass giving them the opportunity to make friends and explore new places.  

78 year old Anne Kielland from Dovenby was delighted to be part of the latest Grand Day Out saying: “Today has been a perfect ending to a perfect year. The pantomime was absolutely fantastic. Coming out today has made a nice change to all the eating and drinking and watching too much TV over Christmas.

“We’ve all had a brilliant day so thank you very much to Stagecoach for today and all the lovely days out they have put on for us this year” 

The pantomime was staged by Workington and District Amateur Musical Society (WADAMS) who have been putting on pantomimes now for the people of west Cumbria since theyformed in 1952.

Their productions are always well received and are a highlight in Workington’s cultural calendar.

Brian Bretski from Broughton said: “It’s many years since I’ve been to a pantomime but today has been excellent. The pantomime was really good. The singing was excellent.

“All the performances were excellent. Good old Workington. They were all really professional I thought. The cast and everyone involved should all be really proud of themselves. It’s been a grand afternoon.”

Tom Waterhouse, Managing Director at Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire said: “It’s important for us as a company to support our local community and I’m always really pleased to hear that those people who attend our Grand Days Out have a great day out.

For information on bus times, go to the Stagecoach website or download the Stagecoach Bus app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store. 

Pensioners travel free with an English Concessionary travel card while everyone else pays a maximum £3 per single ticket under the national fare-cap scheme which has been extended to December 31 2025.

For inspiration to help you plan your own Grand Day Out across Cumbria, visit the Lakes By Bus website.

For further information about T’Gether, visit their Facebook page.