An important milestone in the construction of a new state-of-the-art home for disabled veterans was celebrated last week as the final beam was added to the building.

Dignitaries and the widow of a former serviceman were among the guests who gathered at the £17 million development in Hughenden Avenue for the “topping out” ceremony on July 27.

Traditionally the ceremony, which dates back to the Saxon era, is held when the final beam or brick is placed on a building following its construction.

The Royal Star and Garter Homes – a charity which cares for disabled veterans – welcomed numerous guests including the air chief marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Stephen Hillier, and chairman of Wycombe District Council to the ceremony on Thursday.

The traditional ritual saw Sir Stephen anoint a yew tree branch attached to the last roof beam with wine, oil corn and salt - to symbolise wisdom, liberty, prosperity, and hospitality – before it was placed in its position.

Sir Stephen said: “I’m delighted to be able to give my support to the charity, especially in High Wycombe, which already has so many other important connections with the Royal Air Force.

“The charity sets the standard in nursing and dementia care. I’m confident the High Wycombe Home will continue to deliver award-winning care as per the Charity’s existing Homes, as well as drawing on new innovations and thinking.”

The new home is expected to open in summer 2018 and will provide nursing and therapeutic care for 74 residents as well as specialist dementia care in a separate wing for 30 residents.

The late wing commander Anthony ‘Bugs’ Bendell, who ranked amongst the RAF’s most talented fighter pilots, was due to be one of the first people to move into the new home so he could be closer to his family.

He attended the initial ceremony in April 2016 to celebrate the beginning of work on the new build however sadly passed away before it was completed.

His widow, Jules, who lives in High Wycombe, paid tribute to her husband following the milestone ceremony.

She said: “Bugs would have been very proud of the care The Royal Star & Garter Homes will be providing to the military veterans living in South Buckinghamshire and the wider area.”

The Royal Star and Garter Homes was founded in 1916 to care for severely injured young men returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War.

The charity also has homes in Solihull and Surbiton.