Duchess of Edinburgh opens new Winchester care home

The Duchess, who is a patron of the Brendoncare Foundation, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion on Tuesday, November 14.

During her visit to the 60-bedroom care home in Quarry Road, the Duchess, accompanied by St Giles View team members, visited residents in the three households, all named after villages close to Winchester - Littleton, Sparsholt and Chilcomb.

The Duchess of Edinburgh helping to decorate a cake in honour of The King's birthday (Image: Brendoncare)In the Sparsholt dining room, she took part in decorating a cake to celebrate the 75th birthday of The King, before joining Chilcomb household residents for afternoon tea.

READ MORE: Winchester charity representatives visit No 10 Downing Street

She also heard about how local people in the immediate area would be invited to participate in special activities in the home’s community area.

Marianne Wanstall, Brendoncare’s chief executive, then invited the Duchess to unveil the plaque which is located on the ground floor going out towards the garden.

The Duchess of Edinburgh (right) unveiling the plague with Marianne Wanstall, Brendoncare’s Chief Executive, and Phil Dowson, Chair of Trustees (Image: Brendoncare)Mrs Wanstall said: “We are delighted the Duchess could join us on such a joyous day, this also being the King’s birthday. We are thrilled she takes such a keen interest in our activities both in our seven care homes and also across our network of 75 community clubs across Hampshire and Dorset.”

St Giles View, which opened in September, is Brendoncare’s first home in Winchester city to provide dedicated dementia care as well as nursing, respite, and end-of-life (palliative) care.

The Brendoncare Foundation is a Winchester-based charity, which provides seven care homes and five extra care housing developments across the south of England.