A special celebration has been held at Bath Abbey, attended by Her Majesty The Queen, to mark Bath-based charity St John’s Foundation’s 850th anniversary.
The Queen greeting children at the celebration | Photo © St John’s Foundation
The Queen began her visit to Bath on Thursday 1st February by meeting St John’s almshouse residents for tea and cake in the charity’s chapel, St Michael’s Within.
Her Majesty then made her way through the city centre to arrive at Bath Abbey where she was greeted in the courtyard by over 600 schoolchildren from five of the local schools that St John’s works with.
Within the Abbey, over 600 guests gathered for a Service of Celebration that paid tribute to the history and impactful legacy of St John’s Foundation over the last eight and a half centuries.
The Queen at the anniversary celebration | Photo © St John’s Foundation
Attendees included many of the charity’s direct beneficiaries, including older adults residing in the charity’s almshouses and local school children supported by its initiatives.
Guests heard a performance of ‘A Million Dreams’ and ‘Sing’ from the Voices for Life choir.
The choir, which was made up of 90 year 4 pupils from the local schools that St John’s works with, was created specifically for the occasion.
Following an address which outlined St John’s future ambitions, CEO David Hobdey invited Her Majesty to unveil the charity’s commemorative 850th plaque.
Her Majesty The Queen with charity CEO David Hobdey | Photo © St John’s Foundation
The plaque will be laid within St John’s city centre courtyard, a place which has been the charity’s home for the last 850 years.
Her Majesty, as Duchess of Cornwall, became Patron of St John’s Foundation in 2009.
She last saw the work of St John’s Foundation during a visit in February 2022 to Roundhill Primary School.
Reflecting on the service, David Hobdey said: “It was an honour to have Her Majesty The Queen join us to celebrate our 850th anniversary.
“Her Majesty’s attendance made a very special day even more poignant, and we are so grateful to her for taking the time to meet our residents and join our Service.
“It’s an incredible achievement to reach 850 years and humbling to think of all the historic events and upheavals that St John’s has survived.
“We are thankful to everyone who attended to help us mark this occasion. St John’s Foundation’s mission is to keep driving forward to continue addressing the needs in our community and changing lives, for good, for the next 850 years.”
Guests were invited to remain in the Abbey for a reception following the Service, where they heard from Executive Head of St Michael’s Church Junior School, Clare Greene, who spoke about the impact St John’s Foundation has had on local under-served pupils.
St John’s Foundation will be hosting several events later in the year to continue the 850th celebrations.
These will aim to involve as many people in the community as possible, especially the charity’s direct beneficiaries, and raise awareness of St John’s work in Bath and North East Somerset.
