75th Anniversary - Members stories | The Almshouse Association

Richmond almshouse charity helping vulnerable older people into secure housing

Its great to see member charities raising the profile of almshouses in the news. The Richmond charities featured in the SW Londoner news in a piece published on 18 October 2022 by Noah Keate

A Richmond based charity is helping to provide housing for vulnerable older people across the borough.

The Richmond Charities provides accommodation for economically insecure people 65 or over, with 140 properties across ten estates in Richmond and Twickenham. Last year, Age UK found two million pensioners lived in poverty, a 31% increase from 2013/14 and in 2018, the charity found 2,500 people aged 60 or over were officially homeless.

Juliet Ames-Lewis, the chief executive of The Richmond Charities, said:

“When people come to need housing with us, they’re often very vulnerable, they’ve often fallen on hard times. It can be very difficult when you find yourself without a roof over your head. We’ve opened two new estates in the last three years and all the new housing is level access, so no stairs. We’re doing what we call future-proofing so that these will hopefully be homes that the elderly can continue to live in for the rest of their lives even if they have mobility issues.”

However, the listed status of older almshouses means making alterations is difficult.

A picture of the front of Church Estate Almshouses in Richmond owned by the Richmond Charities, with two benches and a garden outside the housing. — _{A HOME FOR LIFE: Church Estate Almshouses in Richmond, which includes the charity’s Garden Room, providing a communal space for residents | IMAGE CREDIT: Chantal Richards, The Richmond Charities}

The cost-of-living impact on The Richmond Charities

The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the charity has been stark. Ames-Lewis explained:

“The cost of energy is the biggest issue for us, which is why we’ve spent the last two years putting as much insulation into properties as we could. We gave a grant of £250 to every single resident earlier this year which cost us about £40,000. We may need to do that again if the winter is very harsh.”

A charity’s success is defined by its links to the community and Ames-Lewis highlighted the success of the charity’s advertising. She said:

“We work very closely with other organisations throughout the borough: Age UK, Citizens Advice, Richmond Aid. There’s a myriad of voluntary organisations and they work with us and refer to us. But I think what’s really important now is that Richmond Council recognises that it’s not just the number of units of housing you need in any borough, it’s the range, it’s the variety.”

How local government supports vulnerable older people

How effectively does Richmond Council work with voluntary organisations? Piers Allen is a Liberal Democrat councillor for West Twickenham and Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee. Allen said:

“It looks likely that even with the aids the government has given, there are going to be lots of people worried about putting on their heating at home. We’re trying to work with charity sectors to find places in every part of the borough that could become warm hubs, so that’s working with churches, with the voluntary sector, with existing community boards.”

Allen also reported how the council assists charities through the Community Independent Living Services (CILS) fund, which different charities receive for their work. Yet housing availability remains a challenge. This is exacerbated by the council not owning its own housing stock, which is controlled by Richmond Housing Partnership. Allen said:

“Richmond Housing Partnership has our old council house stock and when there is housing available, we have certain rights to nominate individuals on the housing list. I think there are some issues that we need to work with them and understand in terms of how they’re helping to put in better insulation and reduce the energy costs for tenants. It’s also in terms of actually going back to the older housing stock and trying to work with their tenants and put in measures that reduce energy costs.”

Improving home insulation

The front of Hickley's Almshouses in Richmond owned by the Richmond Charities, which show a bench, lawn and lots of flowers outside the housing. — _{A BUILDING OF HISTORY: Hickey’s Almshouses in Richmond contains The Chapel of St Francis of Assisi | IMAGE CREDIT: Chantal Richards, The Richmond Charities}

The importance of secure home insulation is a recurring theme. Rachel Monaghan is the Programme Manager for Homes at the Centre for Ageing Better, a national charitable organisation ensuring all citizens enjoy a better later life. Their research showed 80% of the homes in 50 years time have already been built, requiring necessary insulation and improvement. Monaghan said:

“In terms of homes, we know that there are just too many homes in our country that are in a really poor condition. And we’ve done some analysis and understood that people aged 60 and over – both couples and people who live on their own – are most likely to be living in homes that are the least energy efficient. So of course, they’re going to be trying to heat their homes and a lot of that is going to be going out through leaky windows and up the chimney. There’s always a lot of focus on new homes and it is very easy to forget about the huge majority of homes are already there and if we don’t improve those homes they’re going to deteriorate.

It’s also probably important to say that without improving our homes to make them more energy efficient, we’re never going to reach the government’s net zero target.”

The Centre for Ageing Better endorses a national retrofitting programme to improve energy efficiency.

Making houses age-appropriate

The support The Richmond Charities offers to older people needs to be reflected across the country. Professor Les Mayhew is head of Global Research at the International Longevity Centre UK, a global think tank promoting lifelong individual wellbeing. He argued a key component of wellbeing is age appropriate housing. Mayhew said:

The front of Houblon's Almshouses in Richmond owned by the Richmond Charities, showing a bench, lawn and flowers with plant pots outside the housing. — _{HELPING FOR CENTURIES: Houblon’s Almshouses in Richmond were founded in 1758 and are the charity’s oldest almshouses still standing | IMAGE CREDIT: Chantal Richards, The Richmond Charities}

“People now recognise older people’s housing: they need access to care, they need on-site wardens who will look after their interests, they need amenities, they need places to socialise.

The energy efficiency of the UK’s housing stock is inadequate. I think there’s an underlying issue which is the construction of housing and existing housing stock in this country, which is very poor from a thermal efficiency point of view.

Most houses should be in thermal efficiency category A but a lot of the private housing stock is going to be C, D or even E which means that lots of these houses are going to suffer from cold spells in winter, damp, all sorts of problems.”

Campaigners for more housing generally advocate building new properties for first time buyers. Mayhew, however, says building more retirement homes will benefit all age groups. He added:

“I certainly think not enough retirement housing is being built at the moment. If more retirement housing was built, it would actually ease the impact on first-time buyers, who are being shut out of the market.”

Given The Richmond Charities’ huge success, how could the charity move to the next stage? Ames-Lewis said removing red tape for improving buildings would help. She said:

“The planning hurdles that planning departments in all councils put in the way is quite restrictive. We’re about to – hopefully next year – start building on a very small block of just five new almshouses on a site we already own but I’ve already had to spend about £50,000 with all the surveys the planning authorities make us go through.”

All four interviewees said strong communication between the state, private and voluntary sectors was important, to ensure they were able to work together cohesively and support housing older vulnerable people. Ames-Lewis added:

“We’re all working for the same aim.”

Featured image credit: Noah Keate
web link: Richmond charity helping vulnerable older people into secure housing (swlondoner.co.uk)

posted 18 October 2022

Burnham-on-Sea almshouses mark historic anniversary

written by Burnham-On-Sea.com
September 15, 2022

Almshouses in Burnham-on-Sea made a splash in the local news with their special anniversary celebration attended by trustees, residents and local dignitaries. Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association was delighted to be on the guest list and to be asked to say a few words.

“A special event has been held in Burnham-On-Sea to mark the historic anniversary of a set of almshouses.

Ellen’s Cottages in Burnham-on Sea’s Berrow Road were built in 1868 with an endowment given by philanthropist John Saunders in memory of his late wife. The cottages have since been offered to “poor widows and spinsters of good character” and are now overseen by a charitable trust, which is marking its 75th year.

This week’s event was attended by over 50 local people including the charitable trust’s trustees, local residents and dignitaries. The function started with a period of silence and a tribute to The Queen from Burnham’s Mayor Cllr Lesley Millard and a prayer from Rev Graham Witts.

Trustee Tony Roost explained the history behind the cottages and its link with the philanthropist. He called the building “a real historic gem.” He noted that philanthropist John Saunders was born in 1809 and his father was a successful wine importer. When John’s wife Ellen Louisa died at age 53 in Burnham in 1865, he decided to build Ellen’s Cottages in her memory for the benefit of ‘poor women’.

His will amounted to £80,000, which in today’s money would amount to around £9.5milliion. The money was left to hospitals, a refuge and charities that helped people with untreatable diseases, the destitute, and homeless.

During this week’s event, Nick Phillips, Chief Executive of the Almshouses Association, praised the local team who oversee the building, adding that they have had to undertake major repair work in recent years.

The Mayor added that the building is “a wonderful community asset” that will benefit local people for years to come.”

The residents of the almshouses joined in the event to mark the anniversary

The event included music from the King Alfred Concert Band

Trustees and guests mark the special occasion

photos credit burnham-on-sea.com

posted Oct 22

Almshouses in Wiltshire Life

Wiltshire Life has just published the first of three articles by Gary Lawrence taking a look into the almshouse world, beginning with a visit to one of the oldest.

Lawrence begins his piece in the sitting room of Winifred Alford, an 88-year-old former hospital almoner who has lived at the College of Matrons almshouse for 18 years, having moved there from Donhead St Andrew near Shaftesbury where she felt no longer able to live on her own somewhere so remote.

” I feel very fortunate to live here, it is a beautiful building and it has so much history. I feel secure, I don’t have to worry about the upkeep or maintenance of a home and there are people close by should they be needed”
Winifred, resident

Wiltshire Life has kindly shared a copy of the article with us. Its beautifully and sensitively written and we look forward to their next articles that include Salisbury Almshouses, the Hospital of St John in Heytesbury and Zeal’s Almshouses. Please click here to read in full.

posted 6 October 2022

Almshouses for young people in Surrey

The Poland Trust

The Almshouse Association was honoured to be invited to the opening ceremony of new almshouses built by The Poland Trust to house younger people in housing need

Celebrating the opening of the new almshouses Sept 22

The Poland Trust is a charity based in Brockham, Surrey originally set up by Sidney Michael Poland who lived in the village and supported many village organisations during his lifetime and arranged for the charity to be established after his death.

In the 1950s the first trustees built six almshouses and a warden’s flat for villagers in hardship, need or distress on land left by Mr Poland. Since then four more units have been built at Poland House but there was no further space at that beautiful site just under Box Hill.

Fifteen years ago the trustees decided that the elderly in Brockham and the three surrounding villages of Betchworth, Buckland and Leigh were well served by available accommodation but that there was a need for affordable housing for a younger generation.

It took twelve years to find a suitable site in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the greenbelt until a local landowner offered the Trust a corner of one of his fields which enabled the real work to start.

Negotiations began with Mole Valley District Council for the site to be designated as a Rural Exception Site for planning purposes and the Council provided a significant grant for the project which will provide homes for applicants from their Housing List with a connection to the the villages. The site is large enough for twelve homes for almshouse residents and five self-build plots which the Trust has sold at 75% of market value to local residents with a covenant that they can only be sold on at 80% of market value and have to be offered to people in the local community.

A local Brockham architect drew plans which would provide four one-bed flats in a single almshouse building; two one-bed houses, five two-bed houses and one three-bed house in a courtyard for the almshouse dwellings; and five detached houses for the self-build plots all of which reflect the rural nature of this very sensitive area.

The trustees selected Scandia-Hus Ltd of East Grinstead as the builder as their timber-frame construction system provides high levels of insulation and should be low maintenance which is important for future generations of trustees. Scandia-Hus understood from the outset what the trustees were trying to achieve and have proved to be extremely good partners. From the architect’s plans which were used to obtain planning permission they agreed a fixed price contract with the trustees which included all the detailed drawings needed together with all the groundworks as well as the building work. This helped with the financial control of the project especially during a period of increasing material costs.

Financing the project is a combination of the grant from Mole Valley District Council, the sale of the self-build plots, the Trust’s own resources and a loan from CAF Bank. A large amount of money was spent before anything appeared out of the ground which was frustrating at the time, not least because a sophisticated flood alleviation scheme had to be incorporated in the design, but overall the project stayed close to the original expectations.

“The Almshouse Association was helpful to the trustees in persuading Mole Valley District Council that the twelve units owned by the charity should be almshouses rather than the rented accommodation with which the Council is more familiar and it helps the charity for all of its housing to be under the almshouse umbrella.”

As the project nears completion, the trustees are both happy and relieved that they have been able to create an asset for the local community in perpetuity and one of which they believe Mr Poland would approve.

Posted 3 October 22

Topping Out Ceremony at Girton Town Almshouse Charity

New High For Almshouses At Dovehouse Court

A Cambridge charity celebrated reaching a significant milestone in the building programme for its new almshouse development in Girton, with a Topping Out ceremony held on-site in May 22.

Representatives from Girton Town Charity, Barnes Construction, Northmores and Mole Architects assembled for the symbolic placement of the final ridge tile on one of the buildings to signify the completion of the build phase.

The next stage will be the installation of all the internal fixtures and fittings over the forthcoming six months, including electrics and plumbing. The project is on schedule with a completion date before the end of the year.

Dovehouse Court, which will comprise 15 almshouses and a new office for the charity, is being built to stringent Passivhaus standards. This results in low energy costs and improved indoor air quality, all made possible by installing energy-efficient windows and doors, with stricter levels of airtightness, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, as well as high levels of building insulation.

Ann Bonnett, Chair of GTC said:

“It is excellent news that we have finished the build phase at Dovehouse Court and have marked the occasion with a Topping Out ceremony. The teams working on the project will now be focusing on the internal aspects of the build. In addition to welcoming back residents who lived in the former bungalows on the site, at the beginning of 2023 we will also be inviting applications from Girton residents over 55 or those who have a close connection to the Village, with the plan to implement a series of phased appointments in the early months of the year.”

Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director, Barnes Construction added:

“We are delighted to have reached this significant stage in our project at Dovehouse Court and are now working on the next phase leading to completion of these energy-efficient almshouses. I’d like to thank both the consultant team and our own team on-site, including our first Passivhaus Champion Ben Cross, who has ensured we have met all required criteria along the way.”

[Above photo: Topping Out at Dovehouse Court, left to right: Ian Bramwell, Senior Associate, Mole Architects; Jamie Saunders, Director, Northmores ; Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director Barnes Construction; and Marc Bermann, Trustee, Girton Town Charity.]

Celebration for Alderman John Landers at Exeter Church Charities

The chairman and trustees of Exeter Church Charities held a special celebration at the Lethbridge almshouses on Friday 15th July, to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to honour and celebrate 25 years’ service by Alderman John Landers as a trustee.

One hundred guests attended the garden party which was blessed with warm weather. Residents, representatives from other almshouse charities, members of Alderman Lander’s family and many friends all shared and enjoyed the day. Honoured guests included Alderman Landers and his wife Stella, The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Yolonda Henson and her Consort, Mr David Henson.

The chairman of Exeter Church Charities, Alderman Norman Shiel opened the proceedings with a warm welcome and, paying tribute to Alderman Landers, he reminded the assembled guests that Alderman Landers had been the dynamic leader of Exeter City Council for most of the 1980s. Reminiscing on his personal qualities, he said that Alderman Landers was

‘a person totally committed to the greater good of the community he served.’

He also recollected that, in the Council Chamber, Alderman Landers

‘was someone who could be totally disarming with his sharp wit but, at the same time, embrace you with the warmth of what he followed on to say’.

The Lord Mayor was then called upon and spoke kindly of 50 years of friendship with Alderman Landers. She acknowledged him as a kind and sincere man, who had been part of the inspiration for her own political views. Alderman Landers responded with a word of thanks and then, assisted by some of his greatgrandchildren, took part in a mulberry tree planting ceremony.

Another of the Trustees, the Reverend Simon Austen said a prayer of thanks for Alderman Landers’ many years of service to the community and asked for God’s continued blessing on his life. He also quoted from Jeremiah ch 17 in the Bible

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

He presented a New Testament and Psalms to Alderman Landers, which is the first of a 1,000 copies to be distributed by Good News for Everyone (formerly the Gideons) later in the year; this was particularly poignant, as Alderman Landers was involved with the local Scout movement in his earlier years, having also been a King’s Scout himself.

The Surveyor and Clerk to the Trustees, Mr Andrew Crossley, then took the opportunity to individually thank the property team for looking after the Charity’s properties so well and the Lord Mayor presented each of them with a small gift from the Trustees. The assembled throng sang a hearty rendition of the National Anthem and Alderman Shiel proposed a toast and three cheers for her Majesty the Queen. This was swiftly followed by a toast to Alderman Landers and three more mighty cheers. Mrs Ann Bird and Ms Christine Bye then presented two beautiful bouquets of flowers on behalf of the Charity’s residents to the Lord Mayor and Alderman Landers.

Once the formal parts of the proceedings were brought to a close by the Chairman, the guests were cordially invited to partake in a sumptuous buffet lunch, including a good variety of quality sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches and cakes, all washed down by more cold glasses of prosecco and jugs of sparkling elderflower cordial.

Alderman John Landers was a councillor representing the Pinhoe ward for over 40 years and made great contributions to the City of Exeter, particularly during his time as the Leader of Council and also the City’s Mayor in 1976. In addition, he has served as a governor of Exeter School for over 30 and as a governor of St Nicholas Primary School for many years, representing the Catholic community. Exeter Church Charities is a collection of smaller Exeter Charities, with 18 almshouses on two sites: Lethbridges and Flayes.

Blue Plaque for Marlborough Almshouses

Blue Plaque commemorating life of Duchess of Marlborough

written by: Laura Bell
Published: 11:34 AM August 8, 2022

[photo: Marlborough Almshouses in Hatfield Road. – Credit: Google]

Back in February 22, we picked up the story published by the Herts Advertiser which showcased the amazing legacy left by local Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. The article also lamented the lack of public recognition for her achievements, so it was wonderful to read their next instalment published on 8th August 2022….

“A Blue Plaque celebrating the life of courtier, politician and local landowner Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, will be installed in St Albans later this month.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant David Williams is the guest of honour at a special public ceremony at 2.30pm on August 29 at Marlborough Almshouses in Hatfield Road. The project is being funded by Blue Plaques St Albans, made up of several local organisations, businesses and representatives from the St Albans area including the district council and St Albans BID, working together to help make the city a vibrant and interesting place to live, work and visit.

Chairman Tim Boatswain explained:

“This is the fourth blue plaque installed by Blue Plaques St Albans and certainly well-deserved. Sarah was an extremely clever and astute woman who rose to be one of the most influential people of her time through her close relationship with Queen Anne.

It is said that because of her knowledge of government she could be a powerful friend but a dangerous enemy. Her almshouses have been a fine legacy for St Albans and we are delighted the trustees have invited the Deputy Lord Lieutenant to officially install the Blue Plaque.“

Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744) circa 1700 by Sir Godfrey Kneller – Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

As a close confidante and advisor of Queen Anne (1665-1714), Sarah Churchill became the second most powerful woman in England.

Her husband John Churchill won many battles during the War of the Spanish Succession which led to the Queen awarding them the titles of Duke and Duchess of Marlborough plus the Manor of Woodstock which became the site of Blenheim Palace.

Sarah was probably born at Holywell House, St Albans in 1660 and John and Sarah maintained their strong connections with St Albans, regularly returning.

One of Sarah’s greatest legacies to St Albans was the Marlborough Almshouses, completed in 1736 for 18 men and 18 women, primarily veterans of her husband’s battles and servants, at a cost of £50,000 (the equivalent of £4 million today).

Back then, the residents of Marlborough Almshouses had to be sober and pious and with an income of less than £20 per annum. Rules for the residents included taking the sacrament three times in the year, observing a curfew of 9pm in winter and 10.30pm in summer, keeping the premises neat, with no swearing and no sub-letting, and not leaving the almshouses for a period longer than three days!

Today a voluntary Board of Trustees runs the almshouses providing unfurnished dwellings designed for the needs of older people (and rules have been relaxed somewhat!).

In 2018 Yorgos Lanthimos directed the film The Favourite in which the Duchess was played by Rachel Weiz and Olivia Coleman, who won an Oscar for her performance, was Queen Anne. “

There are many more nominees for a Blue Plaque. The cost of producing and installing a plaque is £550 and to help raise more funds St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society (SAHAAS) are holding a talk on Sarah Churchill on Tuesday August 30 at 7.45pm: Dr John Morewood, President of SAHAAS will give a 45-minute talk via Zoom. The cost will be £8 per person and all receipts will go to fund more Blue Plaques in St Albans.

You can register for the talk via SAHAAS Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/not-just-a-favourite-the-formidable-sarah-duchess-of-marlborough-tickets-394936464597

If you are interested in becoming involved or want to donate to Blue Plaques St Albans, please contact: blueplaquesstalbans@gmail.com or phone Tim Boatswain on 07873 586074.

Case Study: Adam Cottam Almshouses, Lancashire

Trustees of Adam Cottam Almshouses have been working hard on their almshouse project over the past 4 years, with the assistance of funding from The Almshouse Association. In 2022 they embarked on the next stage of their project using the most recent loan and grant provided by the Association.

Project outline

The 2015 the Quinquennial Inspection Report showed that all 3 dwellings were in dire need of complete refurbishment, so in 2016 the Adam Cottam Almshouses Trust commenced a 4 year refurbishment project to make them damp free, safe and energy efficient.

The work would entail completely stripping out the dwellings and fitting out with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and central heating.

When one of the properties became vacant in 2017, they began the ambitious programme to refurbish all 3 dwellings. The first dwelling was completed in 2017, the second in 2018 and the third in 2020.

The project

The project started by consulting a local architect to advise on how the dwellings might be refurbished. His estimate to remodel the living space and act as Clerk of Works ran to some thousands of pounds. A meeting between two trustees and the contractor led to a design which was adopted without the need for further architect involvement thereby making a significant cost saving.

The objective was to remodel by making maximum use of the limited space available. This involved removing internal walls in all 3 properties.

All 3 dwellings needed the walls to be completely stripped and tanked with K11 solution to act as a barrier to damp. No. 30 was plastered but Nos 34 & 36 were dry lined which was less costly and, more importantly, dried out quicker!

The almshouses do not comply with modern Building Regulations so ‘escape’ windows have been provided where possible, the contractor keeping the Borough Council Building Regulations Inspector involved at all times. All windows have been replaced with new double glazed units and the ceilings have been lowered and insulated.

The bathrooms were fitted with new shower cubicles, toilets and wash hand basins. New units were installed in all kitchens as well as new cookers, cooker hoods, hob units and fridges. All new electrics have been fitted throughout and a new boiler and central heating system installed. New carpets and blinds completed the internal renovations.

Finally all 3 dwellings have been fitted with new front doors/frames to further improve energy efficiency.

Project cost and funding solution

The total cost to refurbish all three properties and temporarily re-house residents was £100,000. The charity was able to cover some of the costs by drawing down from their trust funds and investments, however the remainder was covered by a loan and a grant from The Almshouse Association and a £20K grant from Whalley Parish Council.

The final stage

The 2015 Quinquennial Report highlighted the poor condition of the stone flag roof which requires frequent repairs with many flags delaminated and broken.

In 2021 the charity were awarded an additional loan and grant from The Almshouse Association and in 2022 embarked on the project to remove the existing flags and replace with reconstituted stone flags. In their latest progress update, the charity advised that they have just appointed a painter to paint the external woodwork and elevations and hope to have it finished by early September. Only the lopping of the trees to get organised now!

Many thanks to Clifford Ball of Adam Cottam Almshouses for sending in photos and reporting on the project. Congratulations to everyone involved.

August 2022

Almshouse celebrates its bicentenary

John Baker Charity – Almshouses in Aynho – sent in by trustees Kathy White and Andrew Bellamy

“There was a special bicentennial afternoon tea held in the gardens of the almshouses in Aynho, West Northants on Wednesday 22^nd June. The trustees, residents, families, friends and previous Parish councillors celebrated the amazing generosity of John Baker more than 200 years ago who wanted to help men and women equally in Aynho – first by clothing them, then by giving them some extra pennies and then, after his death, his trustees built these amazing houses with the funds in his Trust in 1822.

To think of all the beneficiaries over those 200 years – all the residents who have lived alongside each other in these houses. Some for a short period and some for many years. There have been a lot of changes and the houses have been improved and upgraded with modern facilities as time has passed.

We tried to find some family links back to John Baker and his family through genealogical research to invite them to celebrate with us – but sadly to no avail despite a great effort from our local History Society, however, we can just remember the great Baker family, one-time glaziers in Oxford, with their personal links to Aynho, and buried in magnificent tombs on the south side of St Michael’s Church.

We raised our cups of tea in thanks for endowing our village with houses where the current, and many generations before them, have been so pleased to live – independently and in a house they can call home……and no longer expected to attend Church four times on a Sunday!

To John Baker – and the next 200 years! “

St John’s Winchester Almshouse Charity support for Ukraine

The work of the St John’s Winchester Charity was recently celebrated in the Hampshire Chronicle.

20th June 2022 by Kimberley Barber Winchester charity St John’s Winchester supports Ukraine | Hampshire Chronicle

“RESIDENTS and staff at a charity that helps older people in Winchester have shown their support for the Ukraine.
The group from St John’s Winchester said they are determined to do what they can to support Ukrainian people suffering as a result of the invasion of their country.
The charity has donated equipment such as beds, hoists, furniture, and medical equipment from its former Moorside Care Home to a Polish charity, Pomagamy Foundation, which transports equipment and supplies to support refugees and local populations in Ukraine including the Ternopil Region, East of Lviv.
So far, 17 trips with donated equipment have been made.
Clive Cook, St John’s chief executive, said: “We can only imagine the pain and suffering of those living with the consequences of the war in Ukraine. I want to thank Ukrainian colleague, Ina Matthias, and our staff and residents for inspiring us to take the small actions we can, to help victims of this terrible conflict.”
The trips have been organised by Ina, who is from Ukraine and works at St John’s and lives in Southampton.
As well as the donations, St John’s has opened staff recruitment to suitably qualified Ukrainian refugees.
Its almshouses are also available for occupation by evacuees coming to the country under the ‘Ukraine Family’ and ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Schemes – subject to age and other qualifications.
The residents of St John’s almshouses pitched in and they raised £731.79 for the Disasters Emergency Committee, Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal through donations and a fundraising coffee morning.
Residents and staff have also filled two cars with donations such as clothing and supplies, which has been delivered to the Polish Social Club, Southampton for onward transmission to Ukraine.

[photo credit: Hampshire Chronicle: Ina Matthias (fourth left), Clive Cook Almshouse Association Trustee and St John’s CEO (sixth left) and local volunteers supporting the transportation of St John’s Winchester Moorside equipment]

Posted July 2022