Crowning Event of 150th Anniversary Celebrations
National maritime charity, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has celebrated 150 years of providing care to former mariners with a visit from its royal Patron. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal toured the newly refurbished facilities, meeting staff, volunteers and residents before presenting the charity with a new Royal Charter.
This essential document approved by HM The Queen, setting out the original objectives and responsibilities of the society but in more modern language and style was unveiled and now hangs proudly in the Nursing Care Home’s lobby lounge.
HRH the Princess Royal meeting staff at Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society
The charity also celebrated the launch of a book to commemorate its 150th anniversary, entitled Home from Sea. The book charts the society’s history and explores the extraordinary lives of its former seafaring community. The first copy of the book was presented by the Chairman of the Society, Captain Duncan Glass, to HRH the Princess Royal before her departure.
The Royal Alfred ‘Home from Sea’ book committeeRoyal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “A visit from the society’s patron, HRH the Princess Royal is the crowning moment of what has been a good anniversary year so far. We are very proud of all the society has achieved and the anniversary book, Home from Sea is a fitting tribute to the rich history of our society; to be able to share it with our Patron during her visit to us is an unforgettable experience.”
“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the staff, past and present who have committed themselves to providing continued high quality care at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society over the past 150 years. We are well positioned and look forward to being able to continue supporting former mariners for generations to come.”
During the course of her visit, HRH the Princess Royal also viewed some entries of a photography exhibition by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. The exhibition features images of seven entries of last year’s national competition, and currently hosted in the picturesque grounds of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society following the launch of this year’s competition.
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