A DEDICATED NHS nurse was invited to the Coronation and witnessed history being made.
Ruth Hend was one of the 2,300 people inside Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6 joining celebrities, politicians and other community champions.
Ms Hendy - who has lived in Thornbury for 20 years - works for University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust as a lead cancer nurse.
She has spent more than 35 years working at the hospital trust and has been described by her colleagues as ‘empathetic’, ‘humble’ and as someone who works ‘tirelessly’ for her patients.
Ms Hendy was awarded a BEM in June 2021 for her services to people living with and affected by cancer.
Despite the ceremony not beginning till 11am, Ruth joined a queue on Lambeth Bridge from about 6.30am and was then seated in the Abbey about 7.30am.
She said: “We were seated for a long time, but there was so much to see and soak up. Wonderful music was played from 9am and there were so many people to talk to and watch entering the Abbey.
“I had a great seat, only three rows back, in the centre of the Nave, so everyone entering by the Great West Door walked through this way.
“Seated around me were a number of dignitaries and celebrities and fellow BEM recipients.
“It was lovely to hear about their work and to share the experience together.
“There was a palpable feeling of anticipation and excitement and sharing this moment in history.”
Ruth was not allowed a plus one to The Coronation but due to the BBC’s coverage and numerous shots of her on TV she felt like she’d been allowed a whole guestlist.
“I genuinely felt as though I was bringing my family, friends, colleagues and neighbours with me into the Abbey,” she said.
“From the number of messages and photos I had (from people sat at home taking screenshots from their TVs) we were sharing this experience together.”
On a day which featured meeting Ant and Dec and other British Empire Medal winners, Ruth’s highlights were some of the formal proceedings.
“There were so many special moments, it’s hard to choose,” she said.
“Experiencing the whole variety of wonderful music from the organ, the orchestra and the choir, it was breath-taking.
“But perhaps my standout moments included watching the moment the King was crowned and singing the National Anthem at the end of the ceremony.”
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