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07/12/2011
Duchess Continues NI Visits
There has been a series of special royal visits this week with HRH The Duchess of Gloucester first commemorating the official opening of a new accommodation block at the Somme Nursing Home, in Belfast and then supporting two special educational facilities.
The Somme home is a charity established in 1914 to provide treatment and care for service and ex-service personnel. The extended and refurbished hospital was opened on its original site in September 1992 and the name changed from the former UVF Hospital in 1995 to the Somme Nursing Home.
Today it is a 40-bed establishment catering solely for ex-servicemen/women and their spouses, including the Merchant Navy and ex-police officers.
The current renovation, refurbishment and modernisation include en-suite bedrooms, enhanced seating and communal areas. The home is supported by the three Armed Service Benevolent Funds and by the Irish Ex-Servicemen's Trust.
Upon arrival on Tuesday, the VIP guest was first greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Mary Peters.
Moving inside the building, HRH met a number of residents, their family members and carers in the Bates Lounge.
She met residents Dr John Weaver and Jean Meharg and their family members in their rooms and, later in the marquee, HRH met the Somme Nursing Home Board Members and a group of invited guests, including a number of other residents and their family members and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the new accommodation block.
Prior to departure HRH was invited to sign the visitors' book and was presented with a posy by Sophia Cochrane aged six and her sister Julia aged three. The children are the granddaughters of the past Chairman of the Board, Commander Keith Cochrane.
Special Needs
The Duchess of Gloucester's second engagement in NI was to attend Fleming Fulton School's 'Christmas Cracker' concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall.
Fleming Fulton School was established in 1957 and caters for young people who have a physical disability and associated learning needs.
HRH the Duchess of Gloucester opened the new school building in 1983 and became Patron of the school in 1987.
The school celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007 with a Gala Dinner at Belfast City Hall and an Interdenominational Service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast attended by the Patron.
At this week's return visit, HRH listened to the Waterfront Hall performance before meeting Jane Lowry, Music Co-Ordinator at Fleming Fulton, and approximately 200 children who took part in the concert.
The Duchess of Gloucester has also today visited Jordanstown School, Newtownabbey and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the school.
This new facility provides staff and pupils with the very latest in assistive technologies and caters to the requirements of pupils with hearing and visual impairments.
As well as being a specialist learning environment offering a unique child-centred approach to communication and education, the school is equipped with the latest testing and therapy facilities.
(BMcC/GK)
The Somme home is a charity established in 1914 to provide treatment and care for service and ex-service personnel. The extended and refurbished hospital was opened on its original site in September 1992 and the name changed from the former UVF Hospital in 1995 to the Somme Nursing Home.
Today it is a 40-bed establishment catering solely for ex-servicemen/women and their spouses, including the Merchant Navy and ex-police officers.
The current renovation, refurbishment and modernisation include en-suite bedrooms, enhanced seating and communal areas. The home is supported by the three Armed Service Benevolent Funds and by the Irish Ex-Servicemen's Trust.
Upon arrival on Tuesday, the VIP guest was first greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Mary Peters.
Moving inside the building, HRH met a number of residents, their family members and carers in the Bates Lounge.
She met residents Dr John Weaver and Jean Meharg and their family members in their rooms and, later in the marquee, HRH met the Somme Nursing Home Board Members and a group of invited guests, including a number of other residents and their family members and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the new accommodation block.
Prior to departure HRH was invited to sign the visitors' book and was presented with a posy by Sophia Cochrane aged six and her sister Julia aged three. The children are the granddaughters of the past Chairman of the Board, Commander Keith Cochrane.
Special Needs
The Duchess of Gloucester's second engagement in NI was to attend Fleming Fulton School's 'Christmas Cracker' concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall.
Fleming Fulton School was established in 1957 and caters for young people who have a physical disability and associated learning needs.
HRH the Duchess of Gloucester opened the new school building in 1983 and became Patron of the school in 1987.
The school celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007 with a Gala Dinner at Belfast City Hall and an Interdenominational Service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast attended by the Patron.
At this week's return visit, HRH listened to the Waterfront Hall performance before meeting Jane Lowry, Music Co-Ordinator at Fleming Fulton, and approximately 200 children who took part in the concert.
The Duchess of Gloucester has also today visited Jordanstown School, Newtownabbey and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the school.
This new facility provides staff and pupils with the very latest in assistive technologies and caters to the requirements of pupils with hearing and visual impairments.
As well as being a specialist learning environment offering a unique child-centred approach to communication and education, the school is equipped with the latest testing and therapy facilities.
(BMcC/GK)
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