SHE was known as the People’s Princess and today we can share special, treasured pictures of Diana, Princess of Wales visiting north Essex.
The popular royal came to Colchester to open the Joan Tomkins day centre at St Helena Hospice on April 26, 1988.
She captivated patients, hospice volunteers and staff, along with the hundreds gathered to catch a glimpse, as she smiled and shook hands with many.
Big moment - Princess Diana arrives at St Helena Hospice, ready to step onto the red carpet leading to the Joan Tomkins day centre
Among those in attendance was Robin Tomkins, the Frinton businessman who generously funded the day centre in memory of wife Joan.
Robin said: “My wife, Joan, died of cancer in 1985 and had quite a difficult last six months.
“I was very lucky I had the resources to give her the backup that was necessary.
Guided tour - Princess Diana with hospice chairman Christopher Holmes, outside the hospice building
“My sister-in-law was a trained nurse and Joan had a wonderful GP, who called twice a day.
“We also had the support of a brilliant Macmillan nurse.
“My wife was anxious to die at home and we had the necessary resources that made her comfortable.
Handiwork - patient Pauline Budd presents a tapestry she had completed at the Joan Tomkins day centre to Princess Diana
“I realised how difficult it was for people less well resourced to deal with the situation.
“After Joan’s death, I wished to do something to help less-fortunate people who had been on a similar journey.
“I got in touch with the Macmillan nurse and asked what I could do to help people.
A way with words - a selection of poems about life and death written by patients and relatives was presented by Pearl Wheat
“She said what they really wanted at the hospice was a day centre where people could go while they were having problems and also to give support to families.
“I went to see the chairman of the hospice, Chris Holmes, and together we agreed on the provision of the day centre.
“I then went to Alan Hills, the building contractor, and he designed and built the day centre.”
Sharing their experiences - patients at the Joan Tomkins day centre chat with Princess Diana
Mr Tomkins has special memories of Princess Diana’s visit.
“It was a memorable day,” he said.
“All my family were there, my children and my grandchildren.
“It was well attended and Princess Diana was very good with the patients.
Friendly word - the royal visitor chatting to a patient about her once-a-week visit to the day centre
“She sat down with them and had empathy with them. Extremely good.
“There were people sitting either side of her reading their poetry to her. She had a great gift with people.
“I was delighted to see the day centre being used and it gave me a warm feeling.
Pleased to meet you - co-founder and first medical director Dr Elizabeth Hall meeting Princess Diana
“I did something good for a change. I was a property developer and nobody loves a property developer!
“The heart of the hospice is the people working there - the volunteers and nurses who have a very difficult job.
“It’s all about people and they are the most brilliant people there. They are dedicated and do a very difficult job.
Centre of attention - Princess Diana dazzles the adoring crowd of volunteers, hospice staff and patients’ families
“I couldn’t speak highly enough of them.
“Buildings are nothing else but inanimate, but the staff are absolutely wonderful.”
Welcome party - co-founder and first medical director Dr Elizabeth Hall and husband Chris, administrator and fundraiser Pat Gosling and wife Betty, PA to Pat Joy Higgins and husband Barry, vice-chair of the original steering committee Father Michael
Milestone moment - Princess Diana revealing the commemorative plaque
Greeting the VIPs - this introduction included the children and grandchildren of Joan and Robin Tomkins
Stopping for a chat - Princess Diana talks to people on the short walk from the day centre to the hospice
Striking the right note - Princess Diana meets the bandmaster
On her way - Princess Diana leaves the hospice after meeting hospice inpatients. She is pictured with chairman Christopher Holmes
Pleased to meet you - nurse John Garbett and colleagues on the inpatient ward have a chance to meet the royal visitor
Touring the hospice inpatient unit - Princess Diana is shown around
Smiles all round - the royal visitor sits down for a chat with a patient and family
Kind words - a patient and their relative and hospice nurses listen to their special visitor
Permanent reminder - the commemorative plaque is unveiled
Purr-fect day - hospice cat Bubbles makes an entrance on the red carpet
A day to remember - Princess Diana leaves the Joan Tomkins day centre accompanied by Robin Tomkins, having spent time talking with day patients
People’s princess - Princess Diana stops to chat on her walk up the drive from the day centre to the hospice inpatient unit
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