2 February 2011
HRH Princess Alexandra Visits The Royal Star & Garter Home
Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, who is President of The Royal Star & Garter Homes, has paid an informal visit to the Richmond Home. The Princess was received by Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and Mike Barter, the Charity’s Chief Executive. Her Royal Highness then met Director of Care & Service Development, Pauline Shaw, and the Charity’s new Director of Fundraising & Marketing, Gordon Craig, who presented members of his department.
The Princess moved on to the Queen’s Room where resident Stephanie Kerans, who was in the WRNS and acted as a ‘plotter’ for the D-Day landings, presented a posy of spring flowers. The Princess sat with residents to watch a most unusual performance as Richard Curtis, a Crufts judge and winning competitor, presented his K9 Freestyle dancing dog display team. Betty the tiny Chihuahua cross, Border Collie Pogo, a Portuguese Water Dog called Disco, and Whizzy, a Poodle cross, demonstrated their agility and concentration, moving to the beat of the music with precision and artistry in response to Richard’s signals.
Following the performance, Her Royal Highness went round the room speaking to residents and staff. Among the residents the Princess spoke to were former Royal Marines Dick Martin and Louis Pengelly-Phillips (Louis took part in the D-Day landings and is the home’s longest resident), and Cecilia Pollock who will shortly celebrate her 100th birthday.
Before departing, Her Royal Highness was briefed by Sir John Dunt and Mike Barter on the Charity’s recent announcement of having successfully exchanged contracts for the purchase of a site in Surbiton for its new home to which the Richmond residents will move in 2013. Princess Alexandra left waving goodbye to staff who had gathered in the main hall.
Photo Captions:
1. HRH Princess Alexandra chats to resident Bob Ellis watched by (from right) Peter Beer, Doris Wigmore, and Dick Martin.
2. HRH Princess Alexandra meets 91-year-old resident Jimmy Harman who fought at Tobruk and El Alamein.