Penguins bring cheer to Newland House

Residents and team members at Newland House Care Home in Witney p-p-picked up not one penguin but two during a recent visit!

The Humboldt penguins, Charlie and Groot, together with their handlers Jersey Shepherd and Aaron Newman from Heythrop Zoological Gardens in Chipping Norton, entertained everybody with their antics at Newland House.

Some residents were delighted to have the penguins sitting on their laps while others fed them fish.

Aaron told them that 25-year-old Charlie, now something of a senior citizen himself, is the grand-dad of three-year-old Groot, who is still getting used to being a penguin superstar on their visits to care homes.

Sue Kent, Newland House’s Registered Manager, said: “What an afternoon we had! The penguins were a total hit with our ladies, gentlemen and team members and brought many smiles to everyone’s faces. It was a fantastic experience for all of us and, we were so sorry to see them go.”