Today (12th November), The Countess of Wessex visited the newly renovated Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park, to mark its formal opening, and unveil a plaque which later would be placed on the original hospital foundation stone. From 1863 until 1966, the park’s site was home to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
All that remains of the hospital is the chapel, which acts as a heritage centre providing history of the hospital. It also has a 150-foot (46 m) viewing tower, providing views over the park, and across Southampton Water to Hythe, and on a clear day, as far as Southampton itself.
During her visit, The Countess has taken a tour of the chapel, before signing a scroll which later has been placed in a time capsule and buried under the original foundation stone of the hospital. This moment recreated history from when Queen Victoria laid the same foundation stone in 1856, along with a time capsule (containing the plans), which has now been recovered and conserved.
Since the hospital’s demolition in 1966 the foundation stone, weighing an impressive 2.5 tonnes, has been on display at the Royal Army Medical Museum in Aldershot. As it returned, for the first time in 52 years, it has been laid in the exact some spot it was taken from.
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, prior to HRH’s visit said: “This is an exciting moment for all the staff, volunteers and members of the project team who have worked on conserving the Chapel to make it one of Hampshire’s top destinations.”
“Work has seen the conservation of the original Victorian interiors, the creation of a new exhibition, installation of a new lift enabling visitors to visit the tower, visitor facilities and outdoor information points. The Countess of Wessex will be able to explore the unique military past and walk in the footsteps of the patients, doctors and nurses of the once vast and imposing Royal Victoria Military Hospital told through its remarkable exhibition.”
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome The Countess of Wessex to one of our most iconic Grade II listed buildings. The historic chapel is all that remains of the British Army’s first purpose built military hospital, and with her own military links and interest in nursing, we hope she will find her visit really exciting.”
“Her visit follows a £3.5 million project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Hampshire County Council to lovingly conserve the Chapel for future generations and give access to many areas for the first time.” For tiny article by the Express about HRH’s visit to Victoria Park, click here. Another article with photo-gallery can be found here. ITV’s reportage is here. Daily Mail did an article as well, click here.
Also today, as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, HRH attended the National Conference at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. At the event, The Countess presented COWPAT (The Countess of Wessex Perpetual Annual Trophy) to the winner of the Great Ideas Forum competition – designed to encourage Show organisers to put forward their time-saving or money-saving innovations for events.
This year’s Conference programme featured a prestigious line-up of internationally-recognised speakers including Graeme Cooke, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for DEFRA, who has given a department update; Dr. Sarah MacCurtain, Co-Director of the Strategic Healthcare Management Research Group at the University of Limerick and Breyton Milford, Operations Manager at the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society who spoke on the subject of ‘standing out from the crowd’.
There was also the Great Debate, that was chaired by ASAO Patron HRH The Countess of Wessex. The ASAO represents the UK’s many agricultural, horticultural, equine and countryside events. To learn more about this year’s conference, click here. Finally, do check my yesterday’s post as I have updated info on HRH’s choice of ceramic poppy. It was a lovely touch.
Outfit & jewellery:
Collarless V-neck coat by Loewe.
Black turtleneck.
New to me black skirt. Couldn’t ID it yet.
Front to back pearls by Heavenly Necklaces.
UFO pearl pendant.
Skagen Ladies’ Nicoline Refined Watch.
Black clutch bag by Sophie Habsburg Designs.
Black suede Prada boots.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 
Myself and my little girl finally met the Countess today when we went along to see her opening the beautiful chapel at our favourite park. She was just lovely. I’ve always been a big fan but now even more so.
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