Written by: Roger | Norman | Paul | Tuesday, 7th October 2025 - 12:00

Category: Events | Tags: visitmeal

39 Members & partners left Hop Oast by coach on an overcast Tuesday morning, heading for The Royal Chelsea Hospital. An extremely rare journey meant we arrived almost an hour ahead of schedule, and were joined by five more members who had travelled independently. The coach was probably quicker!

Fortunately, it had been arranged that we could also visit the Army Museum immediately next door, primarily because they had more space in their 'canteen' for such a large group, and it was free! So apart from refreshments it also facilitated an opportunity to explore another interesting museum.

Some members did partake of refreshments in the new Heidi Cafe in the hospital grounds.

It was then time for the first group - already designated so with purple No 1 stickers - to depart with their Chelsea Pensioner tour guide. Group 2 departed 15 minutes later with another exuberant Pensioner.

We all enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening tour of this amazing 'military' refuge for retired Army personnel - particularly since the nearly 300 men & women (yes - there are lady Chelsea Pensioners as well now) - live cheek by jowl with comrades on an equal footing regardless of rank.

The hospital was founded by Charles 2nd in 1861 and designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

It is an amazing complex of accomodation, sports facilities and many other activities to become involved in of their choosing. Plus they do 'outreach' in the community to help at schools and many other organisations.

They are very proud of their heritage and their life at the Hospital, but it's important to remember that they wear scarlet coats, not red!

All too soon it was time to head home, and not unexpectedly a longer journey than the morning, but we arrived back within the allotted two hour schedule having enjoyed a very different Probus outing.