The “Rollator Sisters” Return: Linda & Joy’s Heartwarming Connection to St. Andrew’s Church
Senior travel in the Cotswolds is something we get asked a lot about. Our tours are suitable for everyone aged 3 and up – with no upper age limit! All you need – like us – is an independent streak and a spirit of adventure!
At Go Cotswolds, we’re lucky to meet so many wonderful people from all over the world — but some guests truly leave a lasting mark on our hearts.
Meet the Rollator Sisters – ambassadors for senior travel in the Cotswolds!
These vivacious ladies, both in their late 60s/early 70s, have been on six Go Cotswolds tours over the past two years — three in 2024 and another three in 2025! Linda assures me they’ll be back for more!
Limited mobility doesn’t slow them down; their spirit, laughter, and boundless curiosity make them some of the most inspiring travellers we’ve ever met, and perfect ambassadors for senior travel in the Cotswolds.
A Lifelong Connection to the UK
Thanks to their British-born mother, Linda and Joy have a deep connection to the UK. One special thread in their lives is a fondness for churches named ‘St. Andrew’s’ — a name that has held personal meaning for them for many years.
Their father Keith, a Royal Canadian Air Force mechanic, was stationed at bases in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire during the Second World War. He met their mother Dorothy at a dance hall in Nottingham in 1942. Just 6 months later, they were married – on Dorothy’s 21st birthday – at St Andrew’s Church in Nottingham.
The couple moved to Canada after the war and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here, Linda and Joy grew up, attending Sunday school, choir, Brownies and Guides at St Andrew’s Church in River Heights.
Discovering St. Andrew’s Church in Castle Combe
Heralded as one of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe is always a popular stop on our tours of the Cotswolds. If you can tear yourself away from taking selfies on the village’s picturesque bridge, do pop into St Andrew’s Church – it’s warmly welcoming to visitors.
Inside, there’s a fascinating display of photographs taken on the various occasions when Castle Combe has been used as a movie filming location. Plus, you can download an interesting audio-tour by scanning a QR code in the church.
At the moment, the church is shrouded in scaffolding while the parish raises funds to repair its roof. Without hesitation, Linda and Joy made a generous donation to the appeal, moved by the thought of helping to preserve such a beautiful place for future generations.
A Lasting Legacy in the Cotswolds
Mike told us the PCC was so touched that they decided to dedicate a roof tile to Linda and Joy. This will be installed on the roof and should last another century or more!
Linda and Joy’s names will now be part of Castle Combe’s history — a lovely legacy for two remarkable women who have crossed an ocean not once, but twice, to explore the Cotswolds with us.
If you’d like to make a donation to the church, you can do so in person on our Bath & Southern Cotswolds tour, or find out the ways you can donate here.
Senior Travel in the Cotswolds with Go Cotswolds
Linda and Joy’s story is a wonderful example of how senior travel in the Cotswolds can be full of joy, connection, and adventure — no matter your age or mobility. With small group sizes, personal attention, and flexibility to accommodate everyone, Go Cotswolds tours are ideal for travellers who want to take life at their own pace, soak up the scenery, and make meaningful memories.
Though our minibuses are regretfully not wheelchair accessible, we can accommodate people with most disabilities and mobility issues on our tours. You can read our Access Statement for more information, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thank you, Linda and Joy, for your warmth, generosity, and infectious zest for life. We can’t wait to welcome you back for tour number seven!