THE strength of bond between grandparent and grandchild was celebrated this week.

More than 170 children took part in a competition, tasked with writing about their grandparents or elderly people they know.

And the results from pupils at William Fletcher Primary School in Yarnton were described as being both touching and emotional.

Awards for the best work were presented at the Yarnton Residential and Nursing Home on Monday.

Nine-year-old Roni Parnes won her age category with a story about the things her grandparents enjoy doing.

She said: “I am very proud of my story and really appreciated my prize. I have been to the home before to sing to the residents and enjoyed that too.”

The competition was run as part of an ongoing project to bring together nursing home residents with children from the school next door.

It is hoped the venture will benefit the lives of both groups.

Bethan Perkins, 11, wrote a story about how her grandparents met. She said: “I really liked taking part in the competition and I thought the home was amazing.

“It’s the second time I have been there as I have been before to sing to the residents and remembered some of them from last time. I like having a relationship with the home, and I liked the cakes.”

Jack Payne, 11, won the overall competition with a story about an elderly homeless man.

He said: “I am very proud of my story and about coming first. I have never been to the home before and I liked it.”

School headteacher Deborah Nind said: “The home opened in November and for elderly people to be able to have conversations with a young person is really nice. They don’t often get that opportunity.

“Some of the children have written about why their grandparents are so special to them and the good things about getting older.

“Lots of the younger children have talked about their grandparents taking them out for trips and how nice it is to visit them in their homes for sleepovers.”

She added: “We have had some really touching entries. The children really care about their grandparents and see it very much as a dynamic relationship that they have with them.

“We have also had some moving and sensitive pieces about grandparents who have passed away.”

Sarah Rawcliffe, manager at the home, which is run by Sanctuary Care, said: “Grandparents play such an important role in children’s lives and it is really touching to know that the pupils have been so creative with their entries into the competition.”