By Press Release
Veterans, military VIPs and volunteers gathered in Ryde last Friday (February 17) to mark the official opening of The Veteran Hotel – including three Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal Hospital in London.
As previously reported, the 13-room hotel and bar, formerly ‘The Marine’, situated on the town’s Esplanade, is offering free respite, transition, holiday and emergency accommodation to veterans. The scheme is the brainchild of Dale Hillier and John Dugdale, both veterans themselves.
Entertainment was provided by the Not Forgotten’s Annie Riley and Lloyd Ellery, while Dame Vera Lynn’s granddaughter, Tesni Jones, also attended.
Each area in the pub is themed, remembering conflicts and services such as The Falklands War, a Royal Navy enclave, another for the Merchant Navy, and areas representing The Royal Air Force and The Army.
The successful and popular Veterans Hub, on Ryde High Street, remains operational, with the hotel and bar an addition to the group’s offering to veterans both on the Island and visiting from the mainland for respite.
