Brendoncare’s Patron opens Knightwood Community Hub

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GVCO officially opened The Brendoncare Foundation’s new Knightwood Community Hub in Chandler’s Ford on Monday 9th February.

To mark the occasion, The Duchess, Patron of the Winchester-based charity, planted a magnolia tree in the garden of Brendoncare Knightwood care home.

The new hub is the third community hub the charity has established in Hampshire, joining those at Gosport and Brendoncare Otterbourne Hill.

It provides a welcoming place where residents, volunteers, club members and local people can come together to enjoy a wide range of shared activities including seated exercise and kurling.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness met club members, volunteers and staff before being invited to join in a game of kurling, one of the most popular activities on offer.

The Duchess also talked to residents of Knightwood Court care home and from Knightwood Mews extra care housing development. Among the residents she met was Derek Ball, who has lived at Brendoncare Knightwood since 2006 and was a participant in the foundation stone laying event in 2005 which Her Royal Highness attended.

The Duchess planted the tree accompanied by Michael Crutchley, Chief Executive of Brendoncare, Phil Dowson, Brendoncare’s Chair of Trustees and Danielle Parnell, Brendoncare Knightwood’s General Manager. Also in attendance were Mr Nigel Atkinson, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Mrs Christine Atkinson.

Before her departure, resident Herbert ‘Bert’ Smith presented her with flowers and a hand painted card made by resident Judy Anderson.

Speaking after the visit, Michael Crutchley said: “We were delighted to welcome The Duchess on such a happy occasion. We are thrilled she continues to take such a keen interest in our activities across our network of community clubs in Hampshire, and our seven care homes.”

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