A DREAM came true for a care home resident in Poole after she celebrated her 80th birthday in style by taking a ride in a horse and carriage.  

Ann Mellor, who lives at Alexandra House care home, took a trip to Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park in Verwood with her friend, Liz, the care home team and some of the other residents.  

After meeting the heavy horses which live in the stables at the farm, Ms Mellor was given the chance to meet Uno the heavy horse before taking a ride around the farm in the carriage he pulls.  

The visit was organised in response to Ms Mellor ’s special birthday wish to ride in a horse and carriage as the care home say it’s something that she had wanted to do since first experiencing a carriage ride many years ago.

Ms Mellor said: “It was lovely and Uno was gorgeous. I’m definitely coming back to visit again.  

“I once went on a horse and cart in Burley, so I wanted to do it again. I loved the experience. 

“Alexandra House is a lovely care home and the team always look after me so well, so this was a lovely treat for me.” 

Ms Mellor with her friend Liz, at Dorset Heavy Horse Centre Picture: Care South

Georgina Powell, home manager at Alexandra House, said: “It was lovely to see Ann having a great time on her own horse and carriage ride around the farm.  

“Ann is a pleasure to care for and always lights up when we have animals visiting the care home, so it was nice to be able to take her the horses.  

“At Care South, we love to safely make the special wishes of the residents come true to enable them enjoy their own hobbies and interests, which they may not be able to do without our support.” 

Alexandra House, which is part of the Care South family of care homes, provides residential, respite, and dementia care.  

It features a dedicated activities team who organise a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.