Abbeyfield was one of an exclusive group of organisations invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The King has been a patron of Abbeyfield since 1979 and has played a valuable role in supporting the organisation’s work.
Abbeyfield’s attendees were: Fiona Downs, Registered Manager at Grove House in Ilkley; Carole Rodwell, Chair of the Abbeyfield Yarmouth Society; Wendy Stallwood, Registered Manager of Bradbury House in Beaconsfield; Dhanif Paramban, Sheltered Housing Manager at Riverhill in Corbridge and Lesley Costello, Care Home Manager at Phil Mead House in Coventry
Carole expressed, “It was so very 'English tea party' on a grand scale.
“The King came over in my direction and spotted the Abbeyfield badge on my lapel. He said ‘Oh, a wonderful organisation. I have been with them for 45 years, as you know, as the Patron. They do some amazing work.’”
Dhanif explained, “It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment that we will always treasure. We were very fortunate to have the chance to shake His Majesty’s hand and enjoy a lovely four-minute conversation.”
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