Care Home Resident Wins ‘Golden Ticket’ To Board The New Borders Railway

Peggy Clacher, a resident at Barchester’s Archview Lodge Care Home, had her birthday wish come true when she was given a ‘Golden Ticket’ to travel along the new Borders Railway in advance of the official opening on 9th September by Her Majesty the Queen.

Peggy was nominated to win a ticket by care home staff at Archview Lodge after she had told them on her 101st birthday that she would love to experience the new railway. Adventurous Peggy was joined on the train by her daughter, Pearl, and two carers, Jennifer Drummond and Tom Halliday.

At 101 years-old, Peggy was the oldest passenger on board. She loved the experience and said: ”The weather at Gorebridge Station was bitterly cold whilst waiting on the train platform. The carriage I was in was beautiful and myself and my daughter, Pearl, had a great surprise when our friends, Jennifer Drummond and Tom Halliday were allowed on the train also. The scenery on the journey through the borders was beautiful, especially when the sun began to shine. Everyone should come to Scotland, and travel on the train so they can see the beautiful scenery we have here.”

May McCondichie, General Manager at Archview Lodge said: “We were all absolutely delighted when Peggy received the Golden Ticket! When Peggy reached 100 years old, her birthday wish was to ride the tram in Edinburgh and it was our pleasure to make that wish a reality. Now she has been able to achieve this year’s birthday wish and everyone is really pleased for her!”

The new line, which is 30 miles long, joins Edinburgh Waverley with the Scottish Borders, terminating at Tweedbank. Golden Ticket holders travelled on board the train on 5th September and the Royal Opening took place on 9th September, the day Her Majesty the Queen became the longest reigning British monarch.