Archive for the General Category
In September twelve Croydon brothers along with wives and guests were privileged to have a private tour of the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the redoubtable Chelsea Pensioners. Croydon Brother Richard Bremer has been a volunteer at the Hospital for many years and arranged the visit following the removal of Covid restrictions.
The 66 acre site has been in operation since 1692 and is a legacy from King Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren, designed to provide a refuge for former members of the British Army. It is currently home to around 300 residents. Although there is an infirmary on site for current residents, the “Hospital” within the title is derived from the word hospitality.
Our tour guide, Chelsea Pensioner Mick, has been a resident following a 23 year Army career serving in a number of key campaigns. To qualify for a place at the Hospital applicants must have no dependents, have served in the Army and be aged over 65. After a successful interview potential tenants are invited for a 4 day trial to see if the culture of the hospital is a good fit with their own aspirations. Upon entry any military pensions are surrendered to the Hospital, whilst their state pension remains with them. Following a recent modernisation programme all Pensioners now occupy a room with a small living area, bedroom, ensuite bathroom and access to daylight. This is a far cry from what was available 50 years ago.
The tour covered all the main areas of the site including the multi faith chapel which counted Margret Thatcher as a frequent worshiper. She was laid to rest on the site and the infirmary bears her name.
Many will be familiar with the Chelsea Flower show which is held annually on the southern lawns of the site, being able to see this area without the show present only adds to the appreciation of the magnitude of the operation.
There is a museum and post office in the grounds and the general public are able to participate in organised tours. Details can be found at: –
https://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/
Our thanks go to Brother Richard Bremer for organising our wonderful visit.
Roy and Lorna Easthope
Chailey Heritage Foundation
As a culmination of my year as President of Croydon Circle I had the great pleasure and immense satisfaction of visiting Chailey Heritage School to present Joy Dyson, the Foundation’s Community and Events Fundraiser with a cheque for £1,680. I was accompanied by my wife Adelia, who has been fundamental in our efforts to fundraise for this very worthwhile charity. Croydon Circle Ladies raised £600 at a Bring and Buy sale in May of last year and other donations were received from the generosity of Brothers and their wives after viewing Adelia’s Zoom cookery demonstrations during the course of 2021-22.
Joy Dyson took the time to tell us about the history of Chailey Heritage School. We were taken to meet the staff and residents and I was struck by the wonderful care being afforded the young people in their charge. An overwhelmingly humbling experience!
We were taken to meet Faith, granddaughter of our good friends, Paul and Teresa Gibbs, who like many of the residents and day pupils at Chailey, has a severe neurodisability and is confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak or see and has other sensory and mobility impairments.
Chailey Heritage Foundation and School was founded by Grace Kimmins, who was moved by many children born with severe physical disabilities and for whom education was non-existent. Her plan was to build a school specifically for these children, in the countryside where the beauties of life could be experienced, which would educate and teach them a craft to ensure independence in adulthood. She found an old workhouse at Chailey in East Sussex on 6th June 1903 and arrived with seven boys.
By 1936 the school had re-sited and expanded into a boys’ and a separate girls’ schools three miles away, still in Chailey – both equipped with operating theatres and medical facilities where education and treatment could be practised together.
Today Chailey Heritage Foundation provides education and care services and is one of the UK’s leading centres for disabled children and young people. Their expertise is in maximising the children’s independence by developing effective communication and providing powered mobility opportunities. It continues to embrace founder Grace Kimmins’ ethos – the belief that each child and young person should have every opportunity to fulfil their potential, no matter what the challenges. In doing so, Chailey has developed a world-class range of specialist services that are necessary to meet the needs of these disabled young people.
The impact of the Foundation’s services comes not just in how many children and young people use their services but in the difference they make to their lives and that of their families.
More information about Chailey can be obtained from their website: www.chf.org.uk
Frank Delicata
April 2022
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