13th December 2017
Residents at New Belvedere House (NBH) tasted a little bit of history this year when the Chelsea Pensioners who reside at the Royal Hospital Chelsea made their annual festive visit.
Instead of the usual Christmas cake they came bearing slices of a towering confection created by patisserie chefs and students at London’s famous culinary school, Le Cordon Bleu. They were part of an anniversary replica of the four-tier cake made for the wedding of Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip.
Weighing 500lb cake was meticulously made to size and clothed in white royal icing, just like the original.
Three tiers of the replica cake were gifted to Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital, who were keen to share them with friends at New Belvedere House.
CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy said, “Our residents always look forward to the Chelsea Pensioners visits. Regardless of age or background, all are veterans who enjoy revisiting memories of military service. Primarily this is a social occasion, one that has become a fixture in the Veterans Aid calendar. Dare I say this year’s gift was ‘the icing on the cake’?”
The two charities enjoy a close relationship that has flourished since the wife of a former RHC Adjutant founded Veterans Aid in 1932.
Captain of Invalids No 3 Company Ross Martin, who accompanied the Chelsea Pensioners to NBH, said, “The age span, along with similar experiences, is an important combination of comradeship, respect, value and trust; mixed with a bit of humour it proves to be a strong remedy. That’s why both the Royal Hospital and VA are vital for each other, helping our veterans find comfort and friendship.”
