Abbeyfield Society celebrates a 50th Anniversary

Abbeyfield Societies world wide are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Founding of Abbeyfield during 2006.

The first Abbeyfield Society was registered in England on November 19, 1956.

In New Zealand local Abbeyfield Societies are aiming to celebrate the anniversary by making 'whoopee' as only Abbeyfield residents can. Some houses are proposing special enhancement projects to mark the occasion. Further details will be availabe on the local Societies section of our web site as plans are advanced.

In the United Kingdom a number of special events have and are being held to celebrate the attainment of half a century of achievements. The news items below were provided by Abbeyfield UK (http://www.abbeyfield.com/index.htm)

Abbeyfield Gold ,

The Abbeyfield Golden Jubilee Rose, will be launched in May 2006 at Chelsea Flower Show to mark the 50 th anniversary of the Abbeyfield Society. The rose is medium yellow, very full with quartered blooms born mostly in clusters. It has a delightful fragrance. The foliage is dark and semi-glossy, and, importantly very resistant to fungal diseases. Its growth is described as low and bushy, achieving a height and spread of 90 cms x 50 cms making it ideal for garden use, even in smaller spaces. The rose has won several awards in International Rose competitions.

Abbeyfield is 50 in 2006! - A unique event A highlight of our anniversary year will take place in London and star Abbeyfield patrons, Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, in “Fond and Familiar” at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket on Sunday 18 June 2006 at 7 p.m. “Fond and Familiar” will be a medley of specially chosen 19 th and 20 th century pieces. A special guest will join Geoffrey Palmer and Dame Judi for this performance.

Richard Carr-Gomm – Pride of Britain

Richard Carr-Gomm, who founded Abbeyfield nearly 50 years ago, was awarded the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Lifetime Achievement Award at a televised ceremony in London on Monday 10th October. The awards ceremony, hosted by Carol Vorderman, was broadcast on ITV1 at 9 p.m. on Tuesday 11 October.The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by film star Angelica Huston, who praised Richard’s vision and personal dedication to a project that has helped thousands of people across the world.

Accepting the award, Richard paid tribute to all those who have worked so hard to bring Abbeyfield to local communities through the years.

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his wife Cherie attended the ceremony and a host of celebrities were in the audience. On Tuesday 11 October Richard visited Downing Street for a personal meeting with Mr Blair.

This is the third major honour Richard has received this year, and follows the Beacon Award for Lifetime Achievement, and a blue plaque to mark the foundation of the Carr-Gomm Society to be placed in Rotherhithe, London.