Residents from Westgate House in Wallingford, part of the not-for-profit care provider The Orders of St John Care Trust, recently enjoyed a deeply meaningful and memorable visit to the RAF Benson Heritage Centre, where history, lived experience, and personal connection came together in a powerful and reflective way.

The group was warmly welcomed and guided through the Heritage Centre by Michael Prendergast and Michael Brown. Michael Prendergast, a veteran who served as an Instrument Fitter on the Queen’s Flight at RAF Benson, also played a key role in establishing the Heritage Centre, which opened in 2023 to preserve and celebrate the station’s rich history and contribution to British aviation and military service. Alongside Michael Brown, he offered residents a personal and engaging insight into the stories behind the displays.

Inside the Heritage Centre, residents explored a fascinating collection of memorabilia, photographs, uniforms, medals, and detailed exhibits showcasing RAF Benson’s history. Highlights included aircraft such as the Spitfire and Mosquito, both closely associated with wartime reconnaissance and operations. Each display helped bring the past to life in a vivid and accessible way.

Among the visitors were Edna, aged 99, who spent her teenage years in London during the Second World War, and Reg, aged 95, a former Flight Lieutenant who served as a Flight Navigator in the Royal Air Force. Their own life experiences added a deeply personal dimension to the day, bringing history vividly into the present.

The visit sparked rich conversation and heartfelt reminiscence as Edna and Reg shared their memories of wartime Britain, service life, and the changes they have witnessed across decades. These exchanges brought the exhibits to life in a unique way, turning the visit into a shared storytelling experience between generations.

Adding to the significance of the day was Marie Hazell, Activities Coordinator at Westgate House, who accompanied the residents on the trip. Marie previously worked at RAF Benson for many years before joining Westgate House, making the visit a particularly special full-circle moment for her personally.

Her connection to the station added an extra layer of meaning to the experience, as she was able to share her own reflections and memories of working life at RAF Benson. For residents, this created a unique sense of continuity between past and present, as their own stories were complemented by Marie’s lived experience of the same historic setting.

The experience provided a valuable opportunity for meaningful reminiscence, social interaction, and emotional engagement—particularly for residents with direct or indirect ties to military history. The conversations, memories, and shared reflections helped strengthen connections and wellbeing throughout the group.

Edna and Reg both expressed how much they enjoyed the visit, especially the warmth, knowledge, and hospitality of the team at the Heritage Centre, which made the experience even more memorable.

Michael Prendergast reflected on the day, saying:

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Edna and Reg to the RAF Benson Heritage Centre and share the history of the station with them. Seeing the memories and conversations the visit sparked was incredibly special, and it was wonderful to hear their own stories and experiences connected to military life and wartime Britain.”

Marie, Activities Coordinator at Westgate House, added:

“The visit to RAF Benson Heritage Centre was such a meaningful experience for our residents. Edna and Reg thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing, sharing memories, and engaging with the history and stories throughout the tour. Opportunities like this are so valuable in supporting wellbeing, connection, and meaningful conversation for our residents.”

The day served as a powerful reminder that heritage is not only preserved in artefacts and displays, but also in the people who carry those memories—connecting generations through shared experience, reflection, and story.