Fond and Familiar
Recital -- June 18, 2006
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Last Updated:  March 13, 2010
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CURTAIN RISES ON DAME JUDI AND ABBEYFIELD

20 June 2006 -- HousingNews.co.uk Online Report

Time went by in style for Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer as they revived their onscreen partnership for a leading national charity which supports older people.

Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer

The pair, both patrons of the Abbeyfield Society, were joined by actor and playwright John Moffat for a special performance to raise funds for Abbeyfield, one of the UK’s largest not-for-profit providers of housing and care for older people.

This special evening, introduced by fellow patron of the society, Richard Baker, was attended by more than 500 theatregoers who flocked to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London, to see Fond and Familiar, a medley of specially chosen readings.

Those in the audience included the President of the Abbeyfield Society the Rt. Hon Baroness Bottomley and her husband Peter Bottomley MP as well as Abbeyfield residents, volunteers and other supporters.

Dame Judi, who has been a national patron of the Abbeyfield Society since 1996, said: “I am delighted to support Abbeyfield’s work, and offer my congratulations for their 50th year. As a society we spend millions trying to combat the signs of old age, but not enough helping the UK’s growing older population. Hopefully this performance will highlight the need to focus on those who have put a lifetime into society and now deserve a little back in return.”

Geoffrey Palmer first became involved with Abbeyfield over 30 years ago.

He said: “I first found out about Abbeyfield when two elderly aunts of mine moved into an Abbeyfield house in Twickenham. Later I was very happy that my mother spent her last years in an Abbeyfield house.

“Since that time I’ve been heavily involved in Abbeyfield’s work as President of Abbeyfield Great Missenden and thoroughly enjoy meeting the residents and taking part in Fond & Familiar.”

The performance is one of a series of fundraising activities to mark Abbeyfield’s 50th year. The Abbeyfield rose has been created to mark the charity’s 50th year and was officially launched at Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Thanks to Laura D, UK, for bringing this to my attention

Visit The Abbeyfield.com Website
to read more about this event and the organization