Contributed story from Leslie Reid;
From the year 2000 until 2017 Anita and I operated a self catering cottage at Sandbraes Lodge. We were delighted to welcome Rene and Olive ( The London Ladies) as our guests for 15 years.

The two ladies made the journey, by sleeper, ( but they sat up all night in the passenger carriage because the ‘sleeper’ was too expensive) , from London to Glasgow in May every year for a three week stay on their beloved Arran. On arrival in Glasgow at 7.30am they took the first train to Ardrossan , crossed on  the 11.05 ferry, took the bus from Brodick and arrived at our cottage ‘fresh as daisies’ at 1 pm. It was only the last few years that we persuaded them to allow us to pick them up at Brodick pier.

Every day the ladies took the bus and enjoyed all the delights of the island. They reminisced about their younger days when they used to hire bicycles and cycle from one village to another. At the beginning of the 21st century they were both approaching their nineties!!

Both Rene and Olive worked all their life for the London Fire Brigade in the Control Centre. They lived , as neighbours just behind the Tate Gallery in London and Westminster Abbey was their local church where they enjoyed attendance every Sunday throughout their lives. We understand that they were also proud to be recipients of the Maundy Money.

Sadly Rene died three years ago aged 94 and Olive told us that Rene was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey on the night before the funeral. That meant a great deal to Olive. Our last communication from Olive was two years ago when her carer wrote on her behalf.

One very special memory of the ladies’ visits’ that we recall Is this:-

Rene and Olive arrived as usual on the Saturday for their three week visit to Arran. After unpacking they explained to us that The London Fire Brigade were celebrating a special anniversary and Rene and Olive had been invited to attend the Commemoration Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, London on the following Tuesday. They were just letting us know that they would be returning to London on the Monday night sleeper, attending the service on Tuesday and returning to Arran on the Tuesday night sleeper to continue their holiday!!!
Amazing for two ladies approaching their nineties!!!

Rene and Olive often joined the Whiting Bay Thursday Club during the month of May which they thoroughly enjoyed. Members of the club always gave them a warm welcome and Anita and I welcomed the opportunity to host an afternoon tea at Sandbraes to celebrate Rene’s 90th birthday and many members of The Thursday Club attended the celebration.

We feel proud to have known two very inspirational ladies who loved Arran dearly.

Sincerely
Lesley  Reid