A Grandfather, 10 Grandchildren and a 25 yr old mug

Neville Benton is grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Grand Daughter, Leanne, contacted us at the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway to tell us a heart-warming story that we just had to share. Each year in the summer holidays, this much-loved grandfather, Neville (now 76), with his wife Juliet would take their grandchildren on a great British holiday adventure. Their favourite places to visit were Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, quite a journey from their Coventry home.  Each year the grand-children requested a visit to the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, they absolutely loved it, and Neville and Juliet were only too keen to fulfil their wishes and made the journey, with all ten grandchildren, every school summer holiday.

However, in 2006 Neville underwent an operation and an unfortunate complication saw him hospitalised for many months in a specialist hospital. Consequently, he had a hip removed, and now manages with just one. Despite being severely disabled, and needing high mobility support and aids at all times, Neville is determined to walk on his crutches and continues to enjoy a good cup of strong tea from his ‘favourite mug’ whilst now living in Newquay and spending time building models in his workshop.

His granddaughter, Leanne, wrote to us to say that this ‘favourite mug’ is his Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway mug purchased over 25 years ago during one of the many visits with his grand-children. Leanne explained that he will ONLY drink his tea from his ‘Cliff Railway Cup’, he insists on it, as it his dream one day to return to the Cliff Railway, with his wife Juliet and all the grandchildren. His granddaughter Leanne, explained that her grandad’s mobility, makes this near impossible, but he keeps the dream alive with that single favourite cup!

So, what we could we do? Well of course we sent Neville some back up Cliff Railway mugs and a Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway cap to wear in his hobby workshop, and if Neville, Juliet and the grandchildren do make the journey to see us we will offer the warmest welcome and steaming hot cliff railway mugs of tea all round!