CLOSE WINDOW   PRINT |
| President
Vice President
Hon. Secretary
Telephone: 01892 852682
Master 2009 - Mr Alistair Bassett Cross Visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea - Tuesday 17th June 2009 Dear Member The Master invites you to join him in a visit to The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the world famous ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ situated on Royal Hospital Road London SW3 on Tuesday the17th June 2009 commencing at 1.30pm. Like all great institutions there are many myths surrounding the Royal Hospital, not least the one that the recognition for King Charles II’s decision to found it should be given to Nell Gwyn. Historians now all agree that the real credit for the establishment of the Royal Hospital should go to Sir Stephen Fox. The funding requirements of this great institution are not wholly met by either the taxpayer or the surrender value of the In-Pensioners’ Army pensions. So the Royal Hospital must rely on the generosity of private individuals, grant making trusts and corporations, particularly to fund major improvement projects such as the new Infirmary. The Master was a participant in the Chelsea Pageant in 2008 a very successful event held in support of the ‘Chelsea Pensioners’Appeal’ and as a consequence has selected the Royal Hospital as his chosen charity during his year. The Tour lasts about an hour and a half and is conducted by one of the In-Pensioners. We meet at CHELSEA GATE which is the most westerly gate in the complex at about 1.15pm so as to ensure the tour commences on time at 1.30pm. There are no refreshment arrangements at the Royal Hospital but an area at the National Army Museum, which is right next door, has been reserved for us in their restaurant after the tour. No formal arrangements have been made nor included in the ticket price for refreshments so Members will be responsible for such on the day but must indicate now whether they wish to avail themselves of these facilities. Members are free to tour the museum if they so wish. Beforehand the Master and some Members of the Committee plan to meet at Oriels a wine bar/restaurant in Sloane Square at midday and will be pleased to see any Members who would prefer to meet there and wet their whistle before proceeding in a ‘crocodile’ to Chelsea Gate at 1 o’clock. The Royal Hospital is easily accessible by public transport. Victoria railway and coach stations are about twenty minutes' walk away and buses ( numbers 11, 137 and 170 ) stop just outside the grounds. The nearest underground station is Sloane Square on the District and Circle lines and is about ten minutes' walk. The cost of the event is £10, which includes a £1 donation for the Red Cross in lieu of our biennial fund raising dinner - this will be a feature of every event this year. Please return the slip below to Daphne Cave, the Asst Hon Secretary, together with your cheque, as soon as possible but no later than Wednesday 10th June 2009. Yours sincerely Ann Benson, Hon. Secretary & Past Master ___________________________________________________________________________________ To: Mrs Daphne Cave, Asst. Hon. Secretary,
BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE: I would like to attend the visit to The Royal Chelsea Hospital on Tuesday 17th June 2009 and shall have _________ guests. I enclose my cheque for £_______________ (Payable to Lime Street Ward Club please) I/We wish to go to the National Army Museum for refreshments after the tour ____________________ BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE: Member_____________________________________________ Phone No. (daytime) _________________________________________ Phone No. (evening) _________________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________
|