The Almshouse Association was delighted to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to one of our member charities on 18 February 2020.  

Photo: Richard Gray

As part of his Royal ‘Away Day’ in Warwickshire, The Prince of Wales took the time to visit the Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouse to meet with residents and trustees, and to plant a tree to commemorate his visit.

Photo: Richard Gray

Upon his arrival, HRH was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, who presented Liz Fathi, Chair of The Almshouse Association, Nick Phillips, Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, and John Haynes, Chairman of the Trustees of the Nicholas Chamberlaine Trusts.

HRH was then invited to visit andrea Cobb in her almshouse. Andrea, who turned 80 the day before said of her Royal visitor

“He was so nice, it was such an honour to meet him.”

Photo: Richard Gray

Prince Charles went on to meet trustees in the Governor’s Hall, a beautiful oak panelled room built in 1840 and he was invited to join residents in Henry Bellairs Lounge, the charity’s communal space for residents.

Here he enjoyed a cup of tea and chat with staff and residents, including  81-year-old Sylvia Hawley, who has lived at the almshouses for 16 years.

“He was a nice chap, we’ve only known he was coming for about two weeks, I wasn’t expecting this, let alone talk to him,” she said.

Before leaving, the Chair of the Nicholas Chamberlaine Trust, John Haynes, presented HRH with a small gift and thanked him for taking the time to visit the almshouses. John also noted that he had been present when the former Prince of Wales, Edward, had visited the almshouses in 1934, albeit as a two year old in a pushchair!

Finally, HRH was invited to plant a white beam tree at the front of the almshouses next to the one planted by his uncle in 1934. He also signed the spade to add to the charity’s collection.

 

Posted 25 Feb 20