Naval Charity RNBT and developers LNT were joined for the traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony by Olympic Gold Medallist Eilidh McIntyre to celebrate the completion of the structure of Admiral Jellicoe House.
RNBT’s state-of-the-art care home for naval veterans in Locksway Road, Portsmouth. Eilidh, who is an official Ambassador for the Royal Naval Association, was ‘delighted to assist’ at this ceremony, showing her Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal to bring good luck to the building for its important role in supporting naval veterans.
Work started on building Admiral Jellicoe House back in the dark days of January this year, in the midst of the national lockdown. Despite this inauspicious start, progress with the building work has been impressive, and the building is complete, with the roof now being finished off. Fitting out of the internal structure and work on the landscaped garden will be completed in the next few months, and so the project remains on track for opening in Spring next year.
The 66-bed home, named Admiral Jellicoe House after the founder of RNBT, is being built on Locksway Road between the cricket ground and the park. Many passers-by will have seen work going on as they make their way to the Vaccination Centre at St James’ Hospital.
RNBT Chairman of Trustees, Captain Nick Fletcher, said:
‘It’s great to see the building now completed. Admiral Jellicoe House will be a care home of superb quality that will further increase our support for naval veterans in Portsmouth by meeting the residential care needs of those who have served their country in peace and war. This is great news for naval veterans and for the City of Portsmouth. We are on track for opening in Spring next year.’
