Duchess of Gloucester in NI

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester GCVO today visited the Somme Nursing Home, Belfast, to commemorate the official opening of the new accommodation block. The Somme Nursing Home is a charity established in 1914 to provide treatment and care for service and ex-service personnel.

Upon arrival HRH was greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Mary Peters DBE.

Moving inside the building, HRH met a number of residents, their family members and carers in the Bates Lounge. Colonel Elder said a few words of thanks and invited HRH to unveil 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 RN.

Also in attendance were:

• Alderman Ruth Patterson, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
• Dr Ian Adamson OBE, Sheriff for the County Borough of Belfast
• Mr Peter McNaney, Chief Executive, Belfast City Council
• Mr Edwin Poots MLA, Minister, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
• Colonel (Retd) Mervyn Elder MBE TD JP DL, Chairman, Board of the Somme Nursing Home
• Mrs Florence Cowan, Matron, Somme Nursing Home

HRH, on the second engagement of the day, attended Fleming Fulton School’s “Christmas Cracker” Concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall.

HRH later visited Jordanstown School, Newtownabbey and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the Official Opening of the school.

Upon arrival HRH was greeted by the Lord-lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie OBE and went on to meet:

• His Worship the Mayor of Newtownabbey
• Ms Jacqui Dixon, Chief Executive, Newtownabbey Borough Council
• The Rev Clyde Irvine, Chair, Trustees and Board of Governors, Jordanstown School
• Mrs Anne Magee, Principal, Jordanstown School