Commemoration Service 2010

In 2010 the Service to commemorate the life and work of Florence Nightingale was held at Westminster Abbey at 6.15pm on Wednesday 12 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.

2010 is the Centenary year of the death of Florence Nightingale. As it was a very special Centenary year, The Rt Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave the address.

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

During the Service the Procession of the Lamp took place.  The Reverend Tom Keighley, a Florence Nightingale Foundation Travel Scholar, who was escorted by student nurses from the Armed Forces and the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, King’s College London, carried the Lamp.   On arrival in the Sacrarium he handed the Lamp to Ria Bhola, a Florence Nightingale Travel Scholar, who passed it to Carly Mann, 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 Choir of Westminster Abbey sang the Service