Seventy Queen’s Nurses Gather at Frogmore Garden

Seventy Queen’s Nurses, retired Queen’s Nurses, QNI staff, volunteers and supporters gathered with staff and volunteers from the National Garden Scheme on Tuesday 5th June at The Queen’s private garden at Frogmore, Windsor, on its annual NGS opening to the public to raise funds for nursing and caring charities.

The event, jointly organised by the two charities, marks 70 years of the NHS in England.

The Queen’s Nurses were welcomed by Heather Skinner, the Berkshire County Organiser of the National Garden Scheme and Vice-Chairman of the charity. Heather spoke about the importance of the work of community nurses and the huge respect and understanding that garden owners have for them.

Last year the National Garden Scheme raised over £3.1m for nursing and caring charities, including the QNI and is the QNI’s longest and most significant funder. The Queen’s garden at Frogmore has been a significant participant in the scheme for many years.

Dr Crystal Oldman, the QNI’s chief executive commented:

‘Queen’s Nurses have made the gathering at Frogmore an annual occasion over the past several years. This year we wanted to bring together 70 working and retired nurses to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the NHS.

‘The event was particularly special because we were able to bring together the volunteers who are part of our ‘Keep in Touch’ programme, which puts working and retired Queen’s Nurses together for regular phone contact. Some of the volunteers had never met previously, so there was a very convivial atmosphere as people were able to put names to faces.’

The nurses were also told about the history of Frogmore Gardens by a member of the gardening team. The first Queen’s Nurses were invited to Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria in 1896, so the gathering in 2018 is part of a tradition going back over 120 years.

ENDS