Prince of Wales opens new wing of the Nightingale Home (From Wandsworth Guardian)

The Prince of Wales opens new wing of the Nightingale Home

7:30am Friday 8th July 2011 in News By James Trueman

The Prince of Wales returned to a place he last visited in 1976 to open the new wing of one of the borough's oldest old people's homes.

The Nightingale Home in Balham for elderly Jewish people, welcomed Prince Charles this morning to officially unveil the £6.5m state-of-the-art Wohl Wing, which in August will become home for 40 of the residents who suffer from dementia.

Set up in 1908 the home which has 200 residents is no stranger to famous visitors.

Celebrities who have recently visited include Stephen Fry, Timothy West and Esther Rantzen.

HRH was given a guided tour by the home's chief executive Leon Smith and chairman Harvey Rosenblatt, and spoke to carers and residents.

He was introduced to one of the new wing's future residents, 97-year-old Rebecca Bash, along with those helping out in the kitchen making traditional Jewish food.

The Prince also briefly chatted to the home's oldest resident, Betty Malinsky, who is 101.

Keen artist Dorothy Silverstone presented the Prince with a pencil portrait of the Queen Mother she had drawn herself and was very impressed with him.

She said: "We exchanged a few words but I was looking at his face and thinking about how to draw it!

"He is a delightful chap, he doesn't patronise you and he is very easy to talk to."

At the end of the tour, the prince addressed all of the guests including trustees, fundraisers and the Mayor of Wandsworth and paid tribute to everyone at the home.

He said: "I must say I am so pleased to have the chance to come back here after 35 years. I am thrilled as I know what a wonderful difference it makes to people lives.

"There's never enough gratitude given to those who provide such immense help in so many ways. I want to pay tribute to the staff who give up so much of their lives. Their patience and devotion are quite remarkable.

"Now I am older, I am much more aware of the problems elderly people face, so I am booking early to avoid disappointment!"