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Over 600 guests gathered at the Abbey 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 . 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 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 up to unveil the charity ’ s commemorative 850th plaque .
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 . Her Majesty last saw the work of St John ’ s
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Foundation during a visit in February 2022 to Roundhill Primary School .
David Hobdey said , “ It was an honour to have Her Majesty The Queen join us today 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 underserved pupils .
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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
HOW TO GET INVOLVED St John ’ s believe in courage , kindness and the collective power of working together as a community .
If you would like to be involved and become a partner of St John ’ s , email : info @ stjohnsbath . org . uk
Find out more about the impact the charity has on the community by visiting : impact . stjohnsbath . org . uk
@ stjohns1174
@ stjohns1174
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4 www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk |