Hythe: OAP reunited with charity boat she used to help crew

Muriel Matcham, 85, was treated to a voyage on the Hythe-based Alison MacGregor, which provides free trips for elderly and disabled people.

Muriel lives at Care UK's Carpathia Grange care home at Southampton Road, Hythe.

She used to volunteer on the Alison MacGregor, serving tea and coffee to passengers while her husband Bryan piloted the boat. Bryan died aged 81 in March 2020.

Muriel Matcham, 85, takes on the water after being reunited with the boat on which she used to volunteer (Image: Care UK)

When Muriel voiced a wish to visit the vessel, staff at Carpathia Grange vowed to make her dream come true.

Accompanied by some of her fellow residents, she was introduced to the current crew before taking to the water.

READ MORE: Charity celebrates 30th anniversary of service that provides free sailing trips for elderly and disabled

Muriel said: "It was fantastic to be out on the boat again after quite a few years as I knew it so well and I was able to give a guided tour of local points of interest on the Solent."

The nostalgic trip was staged as part of the home’s "Wishing Tree" scheme.

It encourages residents to make a wish and either reconnect with a past hobby or try something new – from flying a plane to enjoying a night at the opera.

Muriel Matcham, 85, with the current crew of the Alison MacGregor (Image: Care UK)

The home's manager, Pooja Dhoot, said: "It was amazing to be able to re-unite Muriel with the boat that holds so many happy memories.

"We always encourage residents to continue to enjoy their favourite pastimes and share memories that hold special importance. It's a great way to encourage reminiscence.

READ MORE: 'I survived the Clapham rail disaster but I will never forget'

"Muriel has talked very fondly about the time she spent volunteering on the boat and we are so happy we could make this happen for her.

“She and the other residents had an amazing day seeing the sights along the coast."

Muriel Matcham, 85, waves to onlookers during her voyage on the Alison MacGregor (Image: Care UK)

The Alison MacGregor is named after one of the victims of the Clapham rail disaster in December 1988.

Two weeks before Christmas, a packed commuter train crashed into the back of another train that had stopped at a signal just south of Clapham Junction. 

Alison, 32, was a trainee retail manager who loved to sail in the Solent. She was one of 35 people who died in the crash, which stemmed from a signal failure caused by a wiring fault.

The first boat named after her was launched by Falklands veteran Simon Weston, who was badly burned in the conflict.