The Queen visits Devon

In Barnstaple, The Queen joined staff, volunteers and families in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) at Little Bridge House. 

CHSW Little Bridge House was the first of three hospices founded by Eddie and Jill Farwell to provide a peaceful and relaxing environment for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions and their families across the South West of England. 

The hospice provides a range of facilities like a play room for carefree creativity, a multi-sensory room with lights, sounds and textures to soothe and calm, a soft play area for safe, trouble-free fun and a hydrotherapy pool for relieving stiff joints and muscle spasm. 

Throughout the visit, Her Majesty met staff, ranging from CHSW’s first employee to current staff members, demonstrating 30 years of care and support provided by the hospice.

The Queen also toured the facility, meeting families in the games room and viewing their accommodation. In Doves Chapel, within the hospice, Her Majesty was introduced to a family currently supported by CHSW to hear more about the support they have received, including through music therapy. 

In the surrounding gardens, The Queen joined staff members and families who have been supported over the years. Chief Executive of CHSW, Phil Morris, paid tribute to Eddie and Jill Farwell’s legacy, before inviting Her Majesty and Lizzy Farwell, Eddie and Jill’s daughter, to unveil a commemorative photograph of Eddie with his family which will be placed in all three CHSW hospices.

Children's Hospice South West was founded after Eddie, and his wife Jill’s two eldest children were diagnosed with a rare degenerative genetic disorder. After receiving support from a hospice in Oxford, Eddie and Jill started a fundraising appeal which resulted in the creation of CHSW’s first hospice, Little Bridge House, which opened in Barnstaple in 1995. Demand resulted in the creation of two additional hospices, Charlton Farm near Bristol in 2007 and Little Harbour which opened in 2011 to support families living in Cornwall and Plymouth.

Following this, The Queen, in her capacity as Lady Sponsor of HMS Astute, attended a ceremony to mark the end of the submarine's first commission. With the Ship's Company, Her Majesty celebrated the service of HMS Astute over the last 15 years - the longest first commission of any Royal Navy Submarine in history.

HMS Astute, the first of her class, is the lead submarine in the Royal Navy’s fleet of Ship Submerged Nuclear (SSN) or ‘Attack’ Submarines. Whilst Nuclear Powered, they are conventionally armed and conduct a range of different missions, from intelligence gathering to homeland protection. HMS Astute has spent the last 9 months conducting Submarine Operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, actively defending Britain’s interests.

After inspecting a Guard of Honour, Her Majesty descended onto the deck or ‘casing’ of the submarine for the ceremony. As part of the ceremony, Commander Christopher Bate read the Commissioning Warrant before the Ensign and Union Flag was lowered and the National Anthem was played.

Addressing servicemen and women, and their guests, The Queen said:

It is this inquisitive spirit and razor-sharp professionalism that has steered you all through dangerous waters and, thanks to your efforts, ensured the safety of this nation and our allies. 

Finally, The Queen attended a Garden Party with members of the Ship's Company and their families, hearing about their deployments.