YOUNGSTERS went back in time to learn about a famous family.

Malvern’s Somers Park Primary School pupils visited Friends of the Elderly’s Davenham residential care home in the town’s Graham Road.

They learnt about the building’s owner Charles Dyson Perrins, its history and links to the well-known Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce.

The history walk day involved 90 pupils in two groups and their teachers.

“I was contacted by Anita Marsh, the year two class teacher from Somers Park School, asking if her class could visit us for a history walk as they were learning about Charles Perrins as part of their curriculum,” said Maricel Biringquez, Davenham unit manager.

“The pupils were keen to see the Davenham building and the English Heritage blue plaque dedicated to Charles Dyson Perrins which celebrates the link between this historical, notable figure of the past and the building where he lived and is located on Davenham’s gate.”

Friends of the Elderly Malvern general manager Jo Bennett said: “We thought it would be a lovely idea to put some useful and informative packs together for the children to take away with them.

“Each child was given a pack which contained our history of Davenham booklet, a handy pen so they could take notes as they went on their walks and a few tasty treats to keep their energy levels up.”

Maricel continued: “The children were so well organised and behaved.

“They were very curious as to what the inside of Davenham looked like as it was bringing history to life for them.

"Some children were able to see through one of our windows and view the painting of Frances Sarah Perrins and Charles Dyson Perrins as a young boy which hangs on our dining room wall.

“One of our residents Josephine Hill was looking out of the dining room window as the pupils were walking by. She had a big smile on her face and was waving to the children.

"She told me that she’d never seen so many children in one place and that it was fantastic that they had visited.

“One pupil told me that she thought it looked like royalty lived here and that she was having so much fun which was wonderful to hear.”

Davenham, once known as Davenham Mansion, was built in around 1860 by George McCann.

The imposing house became known as Davenham Bank in 1871.

James and Sarah Dyson Perrins lived at Davenham with their three daughters and son Charles William Dyson Perrins who inherited the house when his father died in 1887.

The link between Davenham and the well-known sauce comes from Charles William Dyson Perrins’ grandson William Perrins.

William, the co-founder of the empire, owned The Gate House at Davenham.

Jo said: “When Charles died in 1958, his second wife Florence bequeathed Davenham to the Friends of the Elderly in memory of her late husband.

“The dairy, laundry and stables were converted into our nursing home Perrins House which was opened in 1972 by Princess Margaret.

“Our dementia care home Bradbury Court then opened in 2012.

“All the pupils were very happy to have the opportunity to see and explore our beautiful grounds and to get a good look at the whole of Davenham from the outside.

"It was a lively and informative way for the pupils to explore Davenham and it was a wonderful inter-generational and community-focused event to be involved with.

"I hope we will be able to do more historical walks in the future.”

Maricel added: “It was fun to see the children’s faces when I told them that there is a secret passage somewhere down in the garden which runs under Cockshot Road and goes all the way to the Little Davenham House.

"It was lovely to impart something new to them and I’m sure that’s one true story they won’t forget.”