On 6 May, Chelsea Pensioners and members of the Royal Hospital’s grounds team joined representatives from the Royal Parks, the Royal Parks Guild and the Friends of Brompton Cemetery to sow a patch of wildflower seeds in Brompton Cemetery as part of the Battlefields and Butterflies initiative.
Recent research backs up the anecdote that Chelsea Pensioners not only live considerably longer than their peers outside (by over five years, on average), but that their lifetimes once they come to the Royal Hospital are extending, year on year. This strongly suggests that the care and community here contribute to greater longevity – as well as improving quality of life.
On 13 April, members of the team and Chelsea Pensioners congregated in Ranelagh Gardens to sow the seeds that will turn a forgotten corner into a field of wild flowers.
There have been female Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital since 2009, but women have played a part in our story for far longer.
This week, the Royal Hospital came together with major London parks to plant Elm trees as part of Elms4London, Elm Tree Planting Week.
On 4 February 330 years ago, the Royal Hospital opened its doors to the very first Chelsea Pensioners. Today, we are still providing a home for the Nation’s Army veterans in the site Sir Christopher Wren designed, according to King Charles II’s original vision.
Christmas is almost here and although life is still far from normal the Chelsea Pensioners are enjoying being part of our community at this special time. We are celebrating in many of the traditional ways at the Royal Hospital – while ensuring guidelines are followed and the Chelsea Pensioners stay as safe as possible.
Chelsea Pensioners and staff gathered together in the Great Hall on the last day of November to usher in the start of Advent with the first of the Royal Hospital’s annual Christmas traditions.
After the restrictions last year, the Royal Hospital today commemorated Remembrance with a Drumhead Ceremony on figure court.
We were delighted to welcome Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate to the Royal Hospital recently, to mark the start of our Remembrance commemorations.
