75th Anniversary - Members stories | The Almshouse Association

Association website – 77% more visitors after BBC interview

Almshouses on BBC Morning Live: ‘Retired and Renting‘

The almshouse movement is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance; hardly a day going by without almshouses and their benefits appearing either on the radio or social media, in magazine articles, the nationals and the local papers. Back in September, we were preparing for a photoshoot with resident interviews at a Chester almshouse with Cheshire Life magazine so when the BBC contacted the Association about an interview for their feature on ‘Retired and Renting’, we were thrilled to be able to take part and suggested combining the two.

It was a bright, sunny afternoon when our CEO, Nick Phillips, arrived at the Nantwich Almshouses for the interview and the site was buzzing with activity. Film cameras, photographers, cables and crew stretched across the grounds, plus several residents were eagerly awaiting their introduction to the BBC crew and Cheshire Life’s editorial team. The atmosphere was one of anticipation and importance.

The BBC interview addressed a growing concern. Many older, retired individuals can no longer afford the rising rent costs to stay in their homes. According to iNews, the statistics are alarming, with a 50% increase in recent years. During filming, we heard from a couple who had become homeless, unable to keep up with rent hikes. Their story paints a grim picture, yet there is hope—this couple has since found refuge in their almshouse in Nantwich and their lives have changed dramatically for the better.

This news feature, which aired on the BBC’s Morning Live Show on 18 September 2024, highlights the invaluable role of almshouses. Not only do they provide security and stability for vulnerable individuals, but they also offer a cost-effective solution that doesn’t burden public finances. To view the interview, please click here – the almshouse section starts about 19 minutes in.

The piece underscored how almshouse living can profoundly transform lives, offering dignity and hope to many and, following the interview, the huge spike in visitors to our website demonstrated both the pressing need for affordable homes and the public’s interest in almshouses.

posted 10 October 2024

The Weedons Almshouse Charity celebrate 400 years

On Saturday 14 September 2024, CEO of The Almshouse Association, Nick Phillips joined the trustees and Clerk at the Weedons Almshouse Charity for a big celebration.

The party was to celebrate 400 years of The Weedons Almshouses and its a special place in the heart of the Chesham community.

During the celebrations, the current Chairman John Graves thanked the founder (Thomas Weedon 1624), his fellow trustees, the Clerk (Alison Pirouet), The Almshouse Association and the residents who have helped the charity over the years. He also expressed his gratitude for a generous recent donation that will help the charity protect the buildings and continue to provide safe and warm homes for future generations.

Nick Phillips spoke about the impact of the almshouse community and the great legacy of the founders, donors and trustees of each generation. After the event, he commented, “Interestingly there was also another group of flats that had been built by the charity in the 1950s following a donation by generous local councillors (Standring and Patterson) who saw this gift as part of their personal act of public service.”

1624 – 2024 – The 400 year history of The Weedons Almshouse Charity

Credit: The Weedon Almshouses (weedon-almshouses.org.uk)

Four hundred years ago, on 6 September 1624, just five days before his death, a draper, Thomas Weedon of St Clement Danes, had his last will and testament drawn up and executed.

As Thomas was unmarried he had made bequests to his three sisters and members of his household, as well as “two mourning cloaks of my best black cloth” to friends. However the main item was a provision to establish in “the Parish of Chesham where I was born the summe of five hundred pounds of lawful English money … upon the building of an Almshouse in the said Parish for four poor Almspeople and to purchase a proportion of Lands of the value of thirty pounds a yeare at least for the Maintenance of the said Almspeople for ever”.

Thomas was promptly buried in the town on 23 September, but it was several years before his bequest got underway.

His Will had stipulated that “twelve of the most honest and sufficient Freeholders” of the town should administer the bequest’s assets in perpetuity. This board of Feoffees, or Trustees, today still exists and administers the Charity’s affairs. By October 1629 the purchase deed was drawn up for a site in Waterside, beside the main road to Latimer, for the sum of £8.0.0.
Our knowledge of the first hundred years of the Charity is sadly incomplete but from the early eighteenth century a more detailed picture of the affairs of the almshouses is possible, thanks to the survival of the accounts and minutes books that are contained in a splendid box dating from 1759. The box was kept “in the Great Chest in the Church [St Mary’s] for security”.

From these records we learn all manner of things about these four little almshouses set behind their high retaining wall, away from public scrutiny. We learn for instance the trustees provided “a vault or necessary house erected in some convenient place … for the use of the poor people inhabiting therein”. The privy was built by John Turner and Lias Darvill, and Humfrey Osbon and his assistant “excavated the pit and carried ye stuff out”.

In 1720 the trustees felt that the gateway leading to the almshouses should be “beautified” and the original inscription “now almost worn out and defaced by time, should now be engraved on a fair stone in gratitude to the memory of the Donor”. The new inscription in black marble survives to this day — the accounts show that the stone cost 14/- [70 pence], and a Mr Deley’s charge for cutting the 418 letters “all at a penny a letter” was £1.14.10. [£1.74].

The residents — or “inmates” as they were then called — were men as well as women, widowers and widows, bachelors and spinsters.

Some were in only their early-fifties, others in their late-eighties. There were only two conditions for becoming an ‘inmate’ — that they must possess no assets, or means of supporting themselves; and that they must originate from the Parish of Chesham or its eight hamlets. Length of tenure varied considerably. Widow Darvill occupied one of the cottages from 1719 to 1741, while in 1771 George Lion remained in residence for only a few months. The ‘inmates’ received a weekly allowance; in 1711 it was 2/- [10p] but a century later, this had increased to 5/-.

The twelve trustees traditionally met, appropriately enough, on St Thomas’ Day, 21 December, at least until 1752-53 when the new calendar was adopted. They consisted of many trades and professions, including ironmongers, clergymen, attorneys and grocers. Chesham’s notables were well represented too, and many retained their trusteeships for life. Meetings were held in hired rooms in several of the local hostelries including The Crown, The Red Lion and The Swan though, from the end of the eighteenth century until 1894, they invariably met at The George & Dragon. Throughout the eighteenth century and until 1848, the Trustees entertained lavishly on meeting days, if the bills from “The George” were anything go by. The all-important box containing the paperwork was present at these meetings but until 1848 there was no indication of how it got there. After this date whoever carried it to the inn appeared in the accounts, being paid 2/- for the task.

_{Today the box, along with its contents, resides in The Bucks Records Centre with the current Secretary and Treasurer maintaining a separate digital record of proceedings and accounts}.

Of course the primary object of the charity was, as it is to this day, the practical welfare of the inmates, or residents. Until recent times the Trustees ensured that they had sufficient fuel. Originally this was wood with 400 faggots being provided on a regular basis. From 1862 bills for coal from Hodgkinson & Son of Waterside start appearing in the accounts. An accounts entry in 1779 lists “paid the poor people in the almshouse one pound” which was a Christmas box of five shillings per person. Remittances, or tips, were given on other special occasions, such as for the marriages of Queen Victoria in 1840 and the Prince of Wales in 1863. From 1848 the inmates received money for beer at Christmas and, also from that year, Christmas beef from local suppliers.

The residents’ weekly allowance tended to fluctuate over the centuries, depending on the Charity’s own reserves. It increased from 4/- to 5/- in 1922, and to 6/- in 1933 which came with one ton of coal and a load of wood. Services fluctuated too — the Trustees terminated the free wireless in 1941, installed only ten years previously, and, after the end of the War, discontinued the coal. Electric light was installed, though, in 1953 using funds from the Chesham Soup Fund which had lately been wound up. The year was also significant in that residents no longer received an allowance, but instead were themselves required to make a contribution to the Charity for their accommodation.

Plumbing – or the lack of it – seems to have occupied a degree of trustees’ time as well as their coffers. In 1732 they installed for the inmates “a well … exactly by the frontispiece of the Almshouse, and a leaden pump put in as soon as possible for the use of the Poor People dwelling Therin: and also a shed should be made over the said pump to prevent all Filth or other things from falling into it”. Over the years there are a number of bills for the repair of the pump, but it’s still in situ, albeit no longer required for use. By 1889 items such as ballcocks and cisterns start to appear in the accounts, marking time for the privy, pump and well. The Public Health Act of 1875 prompted the Trustees to tender for the job of installing sewage disposal, the work going to W C Sears and costing £30.5.0.

Innumerable other jobs and repairs are listed over the years, both inside and out. In 1719 a “Dreaser” — presumably a dresser — was fitted in one of the cottages while, in 1835, water-table bricks were procured from Amersham for a damp-proof course. Regular outgoings included snow-clearing and weeding. In 1784 the first fire insurance costing 7/- [35p] was paid to the Sun Fire Office — the rather grand fire insurance plate still resides as new in the Charity’s box, seemingly never affixed to the almshouse’s exterior wall. As an added precaution against fire, chimneys were regularly swept from 1869 by a contractor named “Summerlin”.

Repairs are ongoing in a building as old as the almshouse cottages. As recently as 1966 the Trustees considered that they “would have to be demolished in the not too distant future” but the Council, aware no doubt of their special place in the heritage of the town, offered improvement grants for them to be fully modernised. In 1961 their shared roof had been repaired with the help of an appeal to the people of Chesham, and collected by various youth organisations. And in 2021 roof repairs are again urgently needed for which the Trustees are applying for funding from several sources.

Since 1918 Chesham Urban District Council appointed four of the trustees from its own ranks. It marked the start of a close association between Town Council and the Charity and serving Town Councillors have only stopped taking an active interest and involvement in the last five or so years. In 1950 Trustee W J Standring offered to allocate funds for new almshouses to be built in the communal garden grounds and a building committee consisting of several Councillors built four alms flats against all the odds which were completed in October 1955. Public-spirited Standring himself contributed £3,500 of his own money, while Councillor Andrew Patterson contributed £500; they are known as Standring Alms Flats as a mark of such magnanimity.

In the 21st century Weedon Almshouses Charity continues to provide accommodation for older, and more vulnerable members of the local community and the aim of the current Trustees is to continue indefinitely the work of their forebears four centuries ago.

We are indebted to Anna Thomas, Shirley Foxell and Arnold Baines’ excellent article, published in 1974 by Chess Valley Archaeological Society, to mark the Weedon Almshouses Charity’s 350th anniversary.

The James Charities: New almshouse development underway

Last month, The James Charities marked the start of their significant redevelopment project with a ground breaking ceremony.

The charity, which has been providing almshouse accommodation for over 55s at its site on Stuart Street in Nechells, inner-city Birmingham, for over 150 years, is transforming its communal building on the historic site of the old St Clement’s Church into ten new almshouses and updated communal facilities. The redevelopment has been part-funded by Homes England and the Justham Trust, with the support of The Almshouse Association and Charity Bank.

These new apartments will provide high-quality, independent living accommodation for individuals in need, over the age of 55. In keeping with the historical significance of the site, the two main façades of the original Victorian building will be carefully retained and integrated into the new development. The project also includes environmental aspects that will improve biodiversity in the area.

The £2.1million project has been designed by KKE Architects and is being delivered by Midlands-based contractor, Interclass PLC. The project is expected to complete towards the end of 2025.

“After several years of careful planning, the board is excited to see the physical start of this exciting phase in the charity’s work. With the new almshouses, the James Charities will be able to accommodate more people in need, remaining true to the wishes of Elizabeth and Emma James, who set the charity in motion back in 1869.”

Lynda Matheson, Chair of the James Charities Trustee Ltd

Wesley Lovett, Senior Lending Manager at Charity Bank said:

“Charity Bank is proud to support The James Charities with cost-of-living loan and grant funding, as they develop much-needed supported housing for those over the age of 55. Our cost-of-living funding aims to support projects that help organisations and residents manage the cost-of-living while creating a lasting positive impact. This development of new almshouses in Birmingham will support the local community and contribute to a brighter future.”

Des O’Neill, Managing Director at Interclass, said:

“We are very proud to be delivering these new independent living apartments, which will offer high-standard accommodation for people in need whilst preserving the historic elements of the old St Clement’s Church. Our goal is to maintain and enhance the sense of community that is so evident here as the project progresses, and we look forward to seeing the new building take shape over the coming months.”

The project was procured through Constructing West Midlands, a publicly owned and managed framework which has a track record in the delivery of public and third sector projects.

posted 4 October 2024

Inspiring the next philanthropists

The almshouse movement is experiencing a long overdue renaissance with heightened media attention and, as we look ahead to the next 50 years, we are eager to use this growing awareness to inspire philanthropists to support and expand this vital cause.

In July 2024, The Almshouse Association welcomed a full house of almshouse enthusiasts to The Charterhouse in London.

As well as tours of the stunning buildings and gardens led by the ‘Brothers’, our guests listened to talks from a fascinating group of speakers that highlighted the significance of the almshouse movement and power of philanthropic giving.

They included George Courtauld, architect and generational philanthropist; Peter Aiers OBE, CEO of The Charterhouse; Simon and Juliet Dumas, landowners and community benefactors; Martin Smith, CEO of The Poland Trust; Christopher Ray, Chairman of The Frederick Ray Trust; and Willie Hartley Russell, Chairman of The Almshouse Association and The Hartley Trust.

There were also exceptional resident speakers who captivated the audience with their heart-warming life stories.

Speeches from the day have been shared below:

George Courtauld
Architect and generational philanthropist

The Courtauld family has a long history of philanthropic endeavours and their legacies, rooted in centuries past, continue to thrive today. They include Braintree Town Hall, The Courtauld Institute of Art in Braintree, Bocking Public Gardens and Halstead Homes of Rest almshouses.

Click to download speech

Christopher Ray
Chairman of The Frederick Ray Trust

Christopher Ray, the grandson of Frederick Ray and current Chairman of The Frederick Ray Trust recounts the story of his grandfather, who founded the Trust in honour of his first son, Lt. Frederick Lee Ray of the Bedfordshire Regiment

Click to download speech

Martin Smith
CEO of The Poland Trust

Martin Smith is the Chair of The Poland Trust, an almshouse charity based in Surrey. Recently, they hosted a royal visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester to celebrate the launch of their new almshouses in Brockham and were awarded The Inspirational Homes Award by The Almshouse Association.

Click to download speech

Peter Avery
Resident

In 1996, Peter Avery became the first male resident of Trinity Homes in Brixton. A former senior lecturer at Central School of Art and Design, Peter, now 84, continues to be a very active artist and is currently designing a stage set for a south London theatre.

Click to download speech

The Almshouse Association would like to express our huge thanks to all our speakers for their valuable contributions.

Following the event, Association CEO, Nick Phillips, has been continuing engagements with guests to establish new almshouse charities and secure funding for redevelopment. He says,

“This is a new era for the almshouse movement. The value of companionship, community and friendship that our members hold at their heart, is now recognised as the best model for providing a place a to live.”

We will keep you informed about our progress and future developments.

posted 3 October 2024

Case Study: William Holmes Almshouses

Trustees tackle the damp impacting the lives of residents – updated 2 October 2024

William Holmes Almshouses were provided with a £50,000 loan from The Almshouse Association to help resolve damp issues in three of their six almshouses, together with the renewal of electrics, redecoration, replacement carpets and new bathrooms.

Background

William Holmes Almshouses, Nottingham Road, Ripley, Derbyshire, were built in 1926 using a bequest made by William Holmes, a provision merchant of Shirley Road, Ripley, who died in 1922, for the benefit of needy people who lived in the Ripley area.

The almshouses comprise of six one-bedroom bungalows on the corner of Nottingham Road and Fletcher Street, Ripley, Derbyshire. The bungalows are large enough for two people to live in comfortably, with a large kitchen, lounge and bedroom. There are communal garden areas to the front and back of the bungalows.

Damp Issues

Over the last year, damp became a problem in all the bungalows. The trustees made it a priority to resolve the issue for the health and wellbeing of their residents, all of whom are over the age of 65.

One of the residents informed the trustees that she had been sleeping in her living room because the damp problem was becoming worse in her bedroom. The damp was coming though an exterior wall and in through her fitted wardrobes. She was no longer able to hang her clothes in her wardrobe due to this and so was placing them on her bed. She couldn’t get in her bed because of them so was sleeping on her sofa. When the Clerk visited this bungalow to assess the problem, there was a noticeable smell of damp.

Upon further inspection behind the sofa, damp was coming through the interior wall between the bedroom and living room causing discolouration to the wall and moisture was causing the paint to peel off. There was also rising damp in the kitchen, causing a musty smell. All these issues were causing anxiety for the resident.

A meeting of the trustees was called and it was agreed that the issue had to be resolved immediately. Plans were put in place for the resident to move into a local hotel and all her furniture and possessions put in storage, at the expense of the charity, until all the work was complete, and she could move back in.

One by one, they are renovating their bungalows to include a new damp proof course, replastered walls throughout, new skirting boards, architraves, fresh decoration, new carpets and vinyl flooring to kitchen and bathroom, new and additional double electric sockets to a higher height.

Funding issues

The trustees had completed three of the six bungalows and were running out of funds. Having the work done for the benefit of their residents was their main priority and they didn’t want it to slow down.

One of their residents had died and another had moved to a nursing home, leaving their bungalows empty and the charity without an income. It was an opportunity to power on with rectifying the damp problems and updating the bungalows. It was at this point they approached The Almshouse Association for information about applying for a loan to enable them to complete all the renovations.

The loan application process

The trustees report that:

“all the loan application forms that were sent were generally straightforward to complete. Guidance was available from Fenella at The Almshouse Association every step of the way if we needed it. The only time-consuming task was obtaining three quotes from contractors for the work we needed to have done as they were needed to be submitted for the loan application. We were certain we wanted to use local tradespeople, so we had to research and contact them and give them a deadline when we needed their quote by for us to make the loan application deadline”.

Fingers crossed!

“The Almshouse Association notified us of the outcome of our application in a timely manner. We didn’t get all the amount we had requested as we have some money in our reserves (which we are hoping will enable us to buy another bungalow in the near future to have as an additional almshouse). However, the amount that The Almshouse Association agreed to is still a substantial amount and it has made us more determined to complete all the damp proof work and other associated renovations, within an extremely tight budget so we don’t have to dip too much into our savings.

“With the help of the loan, we have been able to carry on with work. Here are photos of one of our bungalows that’s recently completed damp proof work and renovation.”

_{Bedroom before with evidence of damp on the walls}

_{Kitchen before with paint crumbling off the wall}

_{Lounge before with wallpaper bubbling due to the damp underneath.}

“The quinquennial inspection is due next year, so we hope that by undertaking this work, we will appease the assessors and importantly our residents.”

> > > > UPDATE > > > >

It was great to receive an update from the charity in September 2024 confirming the completion of their project:

“We are thrilled to report that all the necessary work has now been completed and we have six, very happy residents who are now living comfortably in their damp-free bungalows. We
thank The Almshouse Association for approving our loan application, enabling us
to complete this scope of works.”

Did you know?…

Funds used by The Almshouse Association to make loans to charities last in perpetuity. Loans to charities are interest-free with just a small setup fee. As they pay back the loan over a 10 year period, the Association is able to re-lend out the funds over and over again, ensuring more almshouses can be built or older almshouses can be preserved with a new roof or modernised with extensions or wet rooms. So if you are thinking about contributing to our rolling charity support fund by making a donation or leaving money in your Will, you will know that your money will be helping to change people’s lives for the better for many, many generations to come.

To find out more, please click here

posted 20 May 2024, updated 2 October 2024

Celebration of 750 years at The Hospital of St Bartholomew in Hythe, Kent

St Bartholomew’s Day, 24th August 2024 – The trustees of The Hospitals of St Bartholomew & St John almshouse in Hythe, Kent held a celebration to mark 750 years since the first known recorded mention of the above almshouse being in this ancient Cinque Port town in 1274.

This date was a recent discovery in the ‘Kilwardby Survey of manorial accounts for properties of The Archbishop of Canterbury’ . Nobody knows exactly when or by whom Hythe’s two ancient almshouses were originally founded, but the records show that in 1274, there was a payment of “Statutory Alms” from The Archbishop of Canterbury’s property of Saltwood of seventeen shillings and four pence to The Hospital of St Bartholomew and, in the Hospitals’ archives of 1,200 items, two of the earliest documents are the 1336 and 1348 charters by The Bishop of Rochester re-founding the almshouse.

So from the time of King Edward I (or maybe even earlier), Hythe’s two almshouse charities of The Hospital of St Bartholomew and The Hospital of St John have, throughout the reigns of no less than 35 monarchs, greatly improved the lives of hundreds of local people.

From the archives of the two almshouse charities of Hythe

In 1348, the then Bishop of Rochester, who was born in Hythe, “Looking with eyes of pity on the poor of the town” re-founded St Bartholemew’s almshouse.

In 1573, St Bartholemew’s almshouse was visited by Archbishop Parker, who said “This place is filled with rogues and vagabonds” and dismissed the two trustees.

By 1685, when the two almshouses (The Hospital of St Bartholomew and The Hospital of St John) were managed by the same trustees, between them they owned some 150 acres of land in and around Hythe. Sadly over the years, all of this land was sold off with the proceeds put into safe investments. St Bartholomew’s Hospital was also sold off after being badly damaged by the bombing in The Second World War and the proceeds of sale were used to modernise and extend St John’s Hospital, the latter is the only real estate remaining.

The Charity is now The Hospitals of St Bartholomew & St John and the almshouse building has been converted into seven self-contained flats with all mod cons; a comfortable retirement home run on kindness. In accordance with the standards of The Almshouse Association, the residents enjoy peace, privacy, companionship and security under the protection of the ten trustees and the very caring and conscientious Prioress.

There was a Service of Thanksgiving in the Parish Church attended by over one hundred people, followed by a very good buffet, a well attended exhibition of the Hospitals’ Archives in The Town Hall and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque on the remaining Almshouse by Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent. The building was then blessed by The present Bishop of Rochester, whose predecessor had re-founded St Bartholomew’s Hospital all those years ago. Association CEO, Nick Phillips was unable to attend so it was with great pleasure that he received this wonderful article and photos after the event. Nick is looking forward to visiting this historic almshouse in the future.

750th Anniversary Celebrations – 24th August, 2024

posted 18 September 2024

Trustees and Clerks Shrewsbury Seminar

The Almshouse Association Trustees and Clerks Seminar on 4 September 2024 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire was attended by an enthusiastic and engaged group of volunteers and staff from across the county.

Association Chair, Willie Hartley Russell gave an uplifting presentation about the future of the almshouse movement.
Sue Missin highlighted the work of The Almshouse Consortium with regards to arranging funds for charities to undertake remodelling projects.
Association CEO, Nick Phillips gave a presentation on Independent Living.
Tim Richardson, Quinquennial Inspections Ltd presented a detailed examination of EPCs & Quinquennial inspections.
Tim Rutherford, Stone King LLP gave a detailed and clear review and guidance on Changes to Governing Documents.

A good, informative day. Thank you to all our speakers.

A Royal Visit to Poland Trust almshouses

The Poland Trust welcomes The Almshouse Association Royal Vice Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester

Surrey almshouse charity, The Poland Trust hosted a royal visit at the launch of its stunning new almshouses on the 10 September 2024.

_{HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Nick Phillips, Martin Smith and Tim Kenny}

Greeted by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux, Cadet Flight Sergeant Lucas Reeve, Association CEO Nick Phillips, and Chair of The Poland Trust Martin Smith, HRH The Duke of Gloucester was warmly received by everyone at the new Brockham site.

A keen architect himself, the Duke showed great interest in the architectural plans for the site which were presented by CEO Martin Smith and trustee, Tim Kenny. Architect, Chris Tizzard provided insights into the design and logistics of the project and the Duke was treated to a live demonstration of the flood water deterrent system!

An introduction to Simon and Juliet Dumas, the generous land donors for the almshouses followed and the Duke was then taken on a tour of several of the new homes where he met residents Rachel Smith and Will Harrow with their children, Jessica, Ella, Neve and new born baby Oliver, as well as Rosemary Lawlor with her sons, Marc and Riley.

The visit concluded with tea and cake with residents and special guests and a commemorative plaque unveiling. In a heart-warming gesture, the children of the residents presented the Duke with a special book, ‘Artwork by the Children of Poland Meadow’, featuring their hand-painted depictions of their new homes.

Martin Smith expressed his gratitude to the Duke, saying:

“We were honoured to host this memorable event for His Royal Highness. It was a pleasure to show him the almshouses and to introduce him to everyone who played a role in bringing this successful project to life.”

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, added:

“We are deeply honoured by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Poland Meadows. This remarkable site, partially funded through self-build homes, harmonises beautifully with the surrounding landscape. We owe our gratitude to Simon and Juliet Dumas for their generous land donation and to Mole Valley Council for their collaborative efforts with The Poland Trust in making this project a reality.”

_{HRH chats with Juliet Dumas, one of the land doners who made it all possible.}

The success of this site, grounded in philanthropic generosity and a decade-long dedication by trustees, has made affordable housing available to young people who might not otherwise have been able to remain in the area.

To learn more about Poland Meadows and The Poland Trust see also:

– Case Study: Poland Trust

– Almshouses for young people in Surrey

posted 16 September 2024

Local councils supporting almshouse regeneration

Two excellent articles were recently published on local county council websites where they had awarded funds to community projects, highlighting the strong appreciation local councils have for both the historic significance of the buildings and the positive impact almshouses provide to the community.

On the Derbyshire Dales District Council website

Historic almshouse embraces new technology – 10 September 2024

After 440 years Wirksworth’s original almshouse has received a major refurbishment that creates affordable housing fit for purpose for many more years to come – and your District Council has helped.

In 1584, Anthony Gell of Hopton Hall, near Wirksworth, stipulated in his Will that his executor and brother Thomas Gell should “within a year and a half of my death bestow of the making and building of one Almshouse in the side of the Hannage near the new bridge the sum of £60”.

The Almshouse originally comprised six flats, though by 1963 the accommodation had been altered to allow for four larger flats. Over the last 60 years these flats have received some upgrade, but the fabric of the building had deteriorated significantly with age.

Last year the the Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity was awarded a grant from Derbyshire Dales District Council not only to refurbish the property, but to achieve a real step change in the energy conservation of the building. This presented a major challenge given that the building is Grade 2 listed. Reducing the residents’ fuel bills and improving the quality of their accommodation was also an important consideration. To achieve this the very latest of technologies have been employed, whilst incorporating them in a sympathetic way.

wirksworth almshouse back to brick restoration

The building work was completed in June of this year, taking seven months. An air source heat pump has been installed to heat the flats, via both underfloor heating and radiators, ensuring that the temperature in the flats is maintained at 21 degrees. This has been made possible by stripping all plasterwork back to brick and applying the latest technology in insulating plaster material. In addition, a full ventilation and heat extraction system and double-glazed windows have been installed to ensure a steady internal temperature is achieved. Each of these elements has been necessary to achieve the required objective.

The opportunity was also taken to install new kitchens and bathrooms, to a high standard, and, where possible, improving the ease of use for those who have mobility issues.

Nigel Johns, chair, the Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity, said:

“This project has demonstrated that, with careful planning, an historic building can be refurbished in a way that delivers a considerable improvement in its energy efficiency, whilst not compromising the historic fabric of the building.

“The trustees of the charity are delighted that such a historic building is set up for many years to come, whilst protecting the legacy of Anthony Gell. At the same time this has provided comfortable and affordable accommodation to the residents, which is so important.”

On behalf of the District Council, Director of Housing Rob Cogings said:

“The Council is pleased to have worked in partnership with the almshouse charity to secure the long-term future of the four flats and significantly improve the energy efficiency of the homes. The Energy Performance Certificate for the flats has improved from a poor F rating to D.

“This is one of a number of schemes financed by the Council to support small community-based housing providers deliver much need homes for rent. It is great to see these historic homes given a new lease of life.”

On the Sunderland City Council website

Scheme to transform Minster Quarter comes to a close – 2024

A Scheme to restore some of Sunderland’s best loved heritage buildings has come to a close after six years of making improvements to the city’s Minster Quarter.

Sunderland City Council was awarded £1.9m in funding thanks to National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme in 2018. This combined with contributions from the owners and tenants has seen over £3m invested in the city centre buildings and activities throughout the scheme.

The Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme has focused on repairing historic buildings, improving public spaces, and hosting events and activities to promote the history of the area. It has aided restoration works at The Peacock, The Dun Cow, the rear wall of the Gibson Almshouses and the roof of the Sunderland Empire Theatre and Box Office, as well as repairs to buildings on Low Row, Church Lane and High Street West.

Minster Park was completely revitalised as part of the scheme in 2020, with new landscaping that features a central sensory garden and historic features of the area reinstated.

Now the scheme has come to a close with a celebration event at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Business, said:

“As the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme comes to a close it is the perfect time to reflect on the brilliant work which has been carried out as part of the project since 2018.

“We have seen Minster Park completely transformed into a beautiful green space for the city centre, and iconic Sunderland buildings like the Empire Theatre, Dun Cow and The Peacock repaired and preserved. This has made a big difference to the Minster Quarter and complements the ongoing work on the Riverside Sunderland development where we are transforming the city centre into an extraordinary place to live and work and a vibrant destination for leisure and culture.”

Councillor Beth Jones, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said:

“The work that has been undertaken as part of the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme has helped to improve the look and feel of a vibrant new cultural quarter in the heart of the city centre. Maintaining and preserving our beautiful heritage buildings means that they can be be enjoyed for many more years to come.”

Since its launch, volunteers have spent more than 2,000 hours participating in the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme, including activities like carrying out historic research, recording lost voices with community actors, music workshops and crafting an embroidered banner that now hangs in Sunderland Minster.

The project also saw 63 students on construction courses at Sunderland College spend over 850 hours on site undertaking training and learning opportunities, and 13 young people learning media skills were also offered placements.

Louise Sutherland, Head of Engagement, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“It is fantastic to see the completion of the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage project and the hard work of all involved. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project has transformed a local green space, restored the fabric of late Victorian and early Edwardian buildings of Sunderland’s historic townscape and shared the areas fascinating heritage, ensuring it can be enjoyed by local people and visitors from further afield for years to come.”

posted 12 September 2024

Refurbishment of the Ufford Almshouses – End of Project Case Study

A mission to bring a 17th Century Hospital in Ufford, Suffolk, into the 21st Century

In 2023, Ufford Almshouses received a £75,000 loan from the Association towards the extension and refurbishment of their two almshouses.

By November 2023, as you can read in their mid-project case study, the Ufford Almshouses Refurbishment Project was in full swing with property 2a almost complete and a new roof installed.

If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the forms of grants and loans.

Thanks to Judi Hallett, Clerk to the Non-Ecclesiastical Charites, Ufford, we are pleased to be able to bring news of the completed project and demonstrate how funds have been spent.

November 2023 to July 2024

Whilst completion of 2a took longer than anticipated (delays were a result of contractors working on other projects and difficulties with the supply of some materials), on 1st March 2024, Mrs C, a resident of the almshouses for over 20 years, successfully moved from number 2 to number 2a. This was thought to be a record short distance by the removal company!

The almshouses were refurbished sequentially, rather than at the same time and rather than move temporarily to a house further away, Mrs C opted to stay in No. 2 whilst work was being carried out to No. 2a. She then moved into the completed No. 2a whilst work was being undertaken at No. 2. Having lived in No. 2 for two decades, Mrs C was always adamant that she wanted to move back when it was completed and we had reassured her that this would be possible. Two days after living at the completed 2a, however, she changed her mind, and asked if she could stay!

According to her son, “she loved the new home so much she didn’t want to move back!”

The new home gave Mrs C a downstairs bathroom with walk in shower. She also had a dedicated downstairs bedroom and a garden further away from the road, which gave her greater privacy.

Property No. 2

The day after Mrs C moved to number 2a, demolition started in number 2.

We had made the assumption that the property was a mirror image of next door, but it soon became obvious it was not.

Measurements for kitchens and bathrooms had to be tweaked but we worked closely with our architect and builder to overcome any issues.

The work to number 2 also took a little longer than anticipated.

This meant our new resident, Mr Whitehand, had to remain in his existing accommodation longer than planned, but we are pleased to be able to confirm that he was able to successfully move in on 1st July 2024.

Funding

Much of the funding for this project has come from the Charity’s endowments and Extraordinary Repair Fund.

The Almshouse Association reviewed the project in detail and held an onsite meeting with two of the trustees before awarding the Charity a loan of £75,000. This is to be paid back over a 10-year period, and we have already started to make the payments.

The charity trustees were also able to secure a grant from Homes England. To secure this grant we worked with Saffer Cooper Consultancy via Almshouse Consortium Ltd, experts in grant funding and project management who provide a pathway to obtaining financial support from Homes England. The grant was for approximately one third of the total cost of the project.

What will the benefits be of the project?

Now complete, the Ufford Almshouses are fit for living in the 21st Century. They are accessible and allow for ground floor living, when required. They have modern heating and are fit for purpose for at least another 30 years.

Opening Ceremony and Open House Afternoon

On 26th June 2024, we held an Opening Ceremony and Open House Afternoon inviting everyone involved with the project, retired trustees and their relatives and our residents. Our newest resident, Mr Whitehand, cut the ribbon and we all enjoyed cake and bubbles.

We then welcomed over 80 visitors from the village through the door to view the refurbishments.

Did you know?…

To find out more, please click here

posted 5 September 2024