Abbeyfield residents, volunteers, supporters and staff gathered for a service of celebration and thanksgiving for The Abbeyfield Society’s 50th Anniversary at St Albans Abbey, Hertfordshire on Friday 23 June. The service was led by The Bishop of St Albans, The Rt. Revd. Christopher Herbert, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Children from nearby Aboyne Lodge Primary School gathered outside the Abbey to see dignitaries and clergy prepare to greet the Prince.

Our own Rev Denis Désert, the Chairman of the Bedford Abbeyfield Society, was one of the officiating team.

The Bishop, a Patron of Abbeyfield; Ron Kenyon, Chairman of Abbeyfield, and the Rt Hon Virginia Bottomley, Baroness Nettlestone, President of The Abbeyfield Society, awaited the Royal Patron’s arrival.

Prince Charles arrives.

Mr Edmund Barnes and Mrs Joan Hammersley, who both live at Grace Muriel House, Abbeyfield’s care home in St Albans, were among the congregation. They were later presented to the Royal Patron.

Centenarian Phoebe Catley is flanked by young friends Edward Karsten and Sophie Baird, who are both members of the Haileybury School choir that sang during the service.

Abbeyfield patron and renowned broadcaster Richard Baker introduced the service, which included the reflections of an Abbeyfield resident, a volunteer and a staff member.

After the service everyone enjoyed tea and cakes in a marquee next to the Abbey. Abbeyfield was very grateful for the generous support of local staff from Blue Arrow and Faber Maunsell. Virginia Bottomley said: “It is splendid that Prince Charles is here today supporting Abbeyfield’s Golden Jubilee in his role as our royal patron. It’s a great privilege to have him among us and to have his public support of Abbeyfield’s work with older people and our aim to make their lives easier and more fulfilling.”