Commemoration Service 2009

COMMEMORATION SERVICE 2009
WESTMINSTER ABBEY

In 2009 the Service to commemorate the life and work of Florence Nightingale was held at Westminster Abbey at 6.15pm on Wednesday 13 May.   This Service also celebrates the professions of nursing, midwifery and all staff, both qualified and unqualified working in these services were invited to attend.

2000 nurses, midwives, healthcare professionals and guests attended the Service.

During the Service the Procession of the Lamp took place.  Eileen Moir, a Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholar, who was escorted by student nurses from ten of the Universities of Scotland, carried the Lamp.   On arrival at the Altar, she handed the Lamp to Peter Murphy, a Florence Nightingale Travel Scholar, who passed it to Deborah Marriage, a Florence Nightingale Research Scholar.  This represents the passing on of knowledge from one nurse to another and highlights the diversity of care given by nurses for the benefit of humanity.

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey gave the Address, click HERE for a copy.

The Choir of Westminster Abbey sang the Service