I’m an increasingly active member of the Woodley and District u3a, part of a network of local groups for retired people. Like many other u3a‘s ours has groups on a diverse set of themes and activities. One of these groups is called Out and About and organises trips to interesting places, such as to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, subject of today’s post. So a visit by a group of pensioners from Woodley to the pensioners of Chelsea, better known as the Chelsea Pensioners.
I mention all this only because in an amazing coincidence it turned out that our guide, 88-year-old Malcolm, had actually gone to school in Woodley in Woodley Hill House – what are the chances of that?
Do you accept women?
Over two hours Malcom took us around the grounds telling anecdotes, facts and cheeky jokes. He was, in fact, the perfect guide.
Founded in 1682 by King Charles II it is a retirement home for British Army verterans. It is open to all who served subject to a few conditions such as you have to be of pensionable age (67), not be married and haven’t murdered anyone. It is currently home to 300 pensioners looked after by 304 staff. For this beautiful home the residents pay £500 per week, a lot less than would be paid in any other home, and boasts plenty of facilities including the longest bar in London!
The grounds are extensive and I have, of course, been here twice before – both times for the Chelsea Flower Show which seems vast when you are in it but the area it actually occupies seemed pretty small when it was (almost) empty on our tour. I suspect that in order to help offset what must be the enormous cost of running the place there are many high-profile and prestigious events held on its lawns apart from the annual flower show.
Inside we were taken to the chapel and dining hall both very grand affairs featuring massive frescos. The dining hall looked like a pleasant place to eat. Malcom did comment that the jumpers provided to go under their distinctive scarlet coats soon become tight with all the food they get, so it can’t be too bad.
Stood in the courtyard in front of the main building, design by Sir Christopher Wren, Malcom told us of the parades they have to attend a few times a year stood outside in all weathers for a couple of hours at a time. That would not be for me but for someone who was 88, Malcolm was remarkably sprightly, walking backwards, getting on and off a prop bed with ease. He was the level of fitness I’d like to be at that age.
All good things come to an end though, and Malcolm dryly observed that they don’t lower the flag to half-mast when a pensioner dies as “it would be up and down four times a week!” One resident lasted until he was 112 though, which is a pretty good innings. The pensioners have a choice of having their ashes interned in the burial ground on site or a full burial further away. Personally, I’d choose the latter as Margaret and Dennis Thatcher are in the on-site cemetery and I’d want to be some distance from them. Why are the Thatchers there? Because they lived close, were regular visitors to the church, and she clearly had influence.
And do they accept women? Yes, of course they do! There are currently 18 female Chelsea Pensioners.
