A member of the Royal Family visited High Wycombe to officially open the town's Royal Star and Garter care home.
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, visited the care home on Thursday, February 20, which caters to war veterans and their widows, where she was given a full tour and met several the residents.
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On the day, her Royal Highness also given a pizza-making session in the home’s specialist dementia care area, and later visited the activities room, where a group of residents were taking part in an arts exercise.
The Princess is introduced to WW2 veteran Geoff Smith, 101, by Home Manager Chelle Daly
Chatting to resident Peter, family friend Barbara (left) and daughter Joanna (right)
Speaking about her visit, Her Royal Highness said: “It is an extremely impressive new addition to the charity.
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“May I offer my congratulations to all those involved in its conception, construction and opening, which has been a huge task over many years.
“I’m sure that the residents will enjoy all the excellent facilities available in what is most importantly, their home.
“I wish all the staff and volunteers well in this wonderful new building and look forward to the charity opening more homes and services for the veterans in the future.”
Ena Mitchell, 101, presented a posy to the Princess
More than 100 people were in attendance on Thursday with the likes of Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Royal Star & Garter chief executive Andy Cole and Wycombe’s MP, Steve Baker all at the care home.
Speaking at the event, Steve Baker said: “I’m incredibly happy and proud to see so many people at the Royal Star and Garter to celebrate what is a magnificent new facility in our town.
“It’s great for the area.
"This is a very prestigious home which is aimed to look after our veterans, and you can see that in the representation of those who were here.
Meeting catering staff from Signature Dining, while accompanied by Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive Andy Cole
“High Wycombe is of course a place which has a close link to the Air Force, and I think we should be proud of our town, as it has found space to help those who are vulnerable.
“We can be really proud that the families of the servicemen and woman are also looked after here too.”
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Throughout its 104-year history, Royal Star & Garter has been at the forefront of innovations in care to help its residents, and has strong links to Buckinghamshire.
Founded in 1916, the Royal Star and Garter worked with pioneering spinal injuries expert Dr Ludwig Guttmann from Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
The two parties helped organised a wheelchair archery competition between the hospital and charity in 1948 and 1949.
This was the forerunner to the Paralympic Games.
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