News
The Duchess celebrates 60 years of Age Concern
27th January 2010
The Duchess of Cornwall today celebrated the 60th birthday of Age Concern at RAF Lyneham today.
Her Royal Highness joined 156 people including Age Concern's staff, volunteers and supporters at the air base in Chippenham, Wiltshire, for the anniversary.
"Sixty is a milestone in anyone's life as those of us who have already reached it know only too well," The Duchess told the guests.
"Since the charity was established in 1949 thousands of elderly people in Wiltshire have benefited from its many services ranging from home support to luncheon and technology clubs and even toenail cutting which I am very interested by!
"Moreover, as families continue to spread further apart many older people experience increasing loneliness and isolation.
”So Age Concern's services truly are a lifeline for them and just as much in demand today as they were 60 years ago.
"I know my husband, as Patron of the newly created Age UK, would wish to join me in paying a special tribute to all the volunteers and staff who work so hard to improve the lives of many elderly people in Wiltshire and to thank everyone who has supported this 60th anniversary celebration."
The Duchess said a new chapter was beginning as Age Concern and Help the Aged merge and wished them all the best in the future.
"Thank you very much for inviting me here today," Her Royal Highness added.
"I will go back and tell my husband that he has missed a very good party."
The Duchess also presented £60 cheques to the winners of the charity's 60th anniversary essay and poetry competitions.
Arthur Hillman, 99, from Trowbridge, whom the charity helped rehome about two years ago, spoke to her along with other guests, including Hilda Hendy who the charity helped after she lost three family members in two years.
John Dryden-Kelsey showed The Duchess his tapestry cushion which he has been using to raise funds for Age Concern with a 'guess the number of stitches' competition.
She was then handed flowers from Liz Porter, 19, one of the charity's youngest volunteers and Harry Horton, 94, one of the oldest.
Mr Hillman, who is 100 in June, said: "I was thrilled to meet her and shake hands with her."
The former trooper added: "She asked me about my regiment because she recognised the tie.
"I am in the Household Cavalry Life Guards. She talked about that.”
Staff and residents at Church View care home in Swindon then hosted The Duchess as she inspected their new computer and cinema system.
It is thought to be the first of its kind to combine a Nintendo Wii, a desktop console and a DVD player linked to a projector system.
The Duchess was challenged to a computer bowling game against 73-year-old David Rose and she won the set with just one skittle left standing.
Volunteer Matt Stone created the system and said: "She (The Duchess) said she wasn't sure if she would be any good but she was speaking to David about how often they play, whether they enjoy it and who is the best bowler."
Residents and staff spent 12 months fundraising to pay for the system to keep residents active both mentally and physically.