A MOMENT of joyful connection was created as children sang to older people from their garden.

“We had a wonderful carol concert from Braddock Church of England Primary School,” said Ann Gray of Coombe House.

“The pupils sang their hearts out while we watched safely indoors.”

Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the youngsters used to visit the residential care home near Liskeard every week to read to the people that live and work there.

“Tom Riggs, the headmaster at Braddock, had got in touch with us and asked if the children could play a part in the life of the older people at Coombe House,” Ann explained.

“The children came to read to us and to talk us about what they had been doing at school, and we looked forward to seeing them regularly. We had all sorts of plans: a gardening club, some forest school, then in March, when we had to close the home to visitors, we asked if they would like to write letters to us instead. We asked for best handwriting, so that we could read them!

“We have missed their visits this year. During the lockdown we had wonderful letters and we, sometimes with a little help, wrote back to them. Their gift of a carol concert was a wonderful afternoon of joy. They called out everyone by name and wished them Happy Christmas. We have promised each other more letters and a concert at Easter.”