Sir Francis Crossley Almshouse Charity made a splash in the local news recently with the completion of their two-year project, supported by a loan from The Almshouse Association, to refurbish the historic almshouses in Calderdale.

By John Greenwood – Local Democracy Reporter; Thursday, 28th April 2022, 12:23 pm

Refurbishment of historic homes offering support to vulnerable people in challenging times has been completed by a partnership. All 21 homes at the Grade II listed Sir Francis Crossley Almshouses, which are at Margaret Street, Halifax, are now fully occupied after two years’ of work and retain their character while incorporating thermal efficiency improvements.

The internal refurbishment task was a joint effort undertaken by the almshouse trustees, The Almshouse Association who loaned £60,000, Calderdale Council through financial and other support, the managing agents, Walker Singleton; and local contractors.

The last home to be occupied was the former warden’s house which has just been completed.

Additional external improvements and repairs are also at the planning stage for the future, say the trustees. To date the concentration has been on bringing the interiors up to modern standards to ensure all dwellings offer comfortable accommodation with Walker Singleton advising the trustees to ensure that a safe and pleasant living environment conforms to current legislation and that best practice property management has been adopted.

Trustees chair Jonathan Dixon said the refurbished homes would offer support in life to people who needed it in challenging times.

“Sir Francis Crossley financed the construction of the impressive Almshouses 167 years ago to provide housing for’people in need in the local community’, and the demand for such housing remains as great as ever,” he said.

Kate McNicholas, Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Economy, Housing and Investment, said the “spectacular” almshouses are part of Calderdale’s heritage and provide much-needed, affordable homes to local people.

“It’s great to see their careful restoration reach completion. This has been a real partnership project and we were delighted to provide a loan and support from our housing team. Bringing unused properties back into use and breathing new life into historic buildings is important in our regeneration work across Calderdale.

The almshouse project supports our council priorities of strong and resilient towns, reducing inequalities and tackling the climate emergency through the homes’ new, energy-efficient features,” she said.

Almshouse Association Chief Executive Nick Phillips (Chief Executive) said creating affordable homes with environmental efficiency at a time when they were needed was commendable.

“In the light of recent research showing that the Almshouse model adds to not only the mental and physical wellbeing of residents but contributes millions of pounds to the community it is inspiring to see how charity trustees are today driving the Almshouse model forward,” he said.

Sir Francis Crossley, 1st Baronet, of Halifax, was born in Halifax in 1817, and known to his contemporaries as Frank Crossley, he was a British carpet manufacturer and philanthropist. His first major gift to Halifax was the construction of 21 almshouses in 1855, with an endowment which gave six shillings a week to each person.

More pics (sent into The Almshouse Association)

[pictured above: The main entrance to the Grade II listed Sir Francis Crossley Almshouses, Halifax]

Posted 4 May 22

The Almshouse Association was excited to receive the latest update from The Buchanan Trust on their latest almshouses project:

Dear valued friend of The Buchanan Trust

It has been some time since we last updated you on the exciting developments across the Bosbury Estate, of which there have been many.  Of note, the four, new almshouse cottages that were built last year will next month be celebrating their 1 year anniversary.  Of which all four have been inhabited by veteran beneficiaries, gleaning the benefits of what the Trust has to offer.

Our most recent project is the renovation of our old dairy and stables that will provide further almshouse veteran cottages in summer of this year.

This project would not have been possible without the support from various funders, namely: The Almshouse Association, Homes England, Saffer Cooper Consultancy, The Eveson Charitable Trust, Herefordshire Cathedral, Sandy & Zorica Glen Charitable Trust, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Veterans Raffle.

For interest, we have attached some progress photos and further literature.

Our plans do not stop there and subject to funding, we look forward in collaborating further with you all to build upon the support we can collectively provide our Armed Forces Community.

If you wish to learn more about future Buchanan Trust projects, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Trust at https://www.buchanan-trust.org.uk/

posted 4 May 22

Trustees from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust have started the next phase of their progressive plans, to replant English deciduous broadleaved trees at Manorial Woods.

Keith Dudley, Tina Swani and Jane Mosson joined the planting of more than 4,000 trees at the site, assisted by children from Little Sutton Primary School, following the recently harvested Corsican Pine.

The entire site is due to be restocked with 4,500 trees of both UK-grown hardwoods and an intimate mix of conifers to aid the establishment of the crop. The next phase of planting will take place in May, ahead of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, where a central feature Yew Tree will be planted.

The Trust will enlist the help of local schools again later in the year to help with a further phase of planting in the autumn. This aims to engage the local community in a project that will benefit Sutton Coldfield for generations to come.

Tina Swani, Chief Executive of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “It’s hugely rewarding to see our long-held plans come to fruition at Manorial Wood, which will support a greater mix of woodland plants and wildlife. The previous Corsican Pine trees were in dire need of harvesting and replanting, due to the stock reaching its potential, lack of undergrowth and ongoing fire risk.”

“We are delighted that Little Sutton Primary School is involved, the woods are big part of the environment of Sutton and what a way to get the next generation involved in helping to improve the future of the town.”

Rachel Davis, headteacher at Little Sutton Primary School, said: “We are very excited about being part of a project to plant 4,500 trees that will create a broad-leaved, biodiverse woodland to benefit generations to come.

“At Little Sutton we feel it is really important to prepare our pupils to be good citizens, so we work hard to instil positive values and opportunities for them to make an impact in our community. Our pupils are passionate about playing their part in making the world a better place, and this fantastic project will enable them to do this by looking after the local environment.”

An environmentally sustainable approach is being taken at Manorial Wood that includes biodegradable tree protectors being used, instead of plastic, to prevent damage from small animals as the trees become established. To find out more information about Manorial Woods or Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, please visit: https://www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com/news/manorial-woods/17.htm

posted 4 May 22

On a chilly, but beautiful sunny day in March 2022, the Exeter Homes Trust celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by taking part in The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and unveiling a commemorative plaque at Hurst Trumps Almshouses.

Exeter Homes Trust, formerly known as The Exeter Municipal Charity, was founded over 900 years ago. Providing housing for people, who are unable to remain in their own homes by reason of reduced circumstances, the charity owns and manages 143 almshouses in the city, at 8 estates. A board of 10 directors governs Exeter Homes Trust.

The Exeter-based charity paid homage to the monarch’s historic milestone by planting a tree at Hurst Trumps Almshouses, located on Fairpark Road in Exeter. The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 by inviting people and organisations from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

Exeter Homes Trust also erected an inscribed plaque, adjacent to the tree at Hurst Trumps Almshouses, to immortalise the momentous event, which marks The Queen’s 70 years of service on the throne.

Devon Deputy Lieutenant Deborah Hallett and the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Trish Oliver joined Exeter Homes Trust residents, including Chairman of the Charity’s Board, Roger Panter, to unveil the commemorative plaque and the tree.

Roger Panter, Chairman of the Charity’s Board, said:

“Exeter Homes Trust is proud to celebrate Her Majesty’s remarkable Platinum Jubilee by participating in The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and we are delighted to unveil our plaque and tree in her honour.

The Queen has demonstrated exceptional service to this country over the last 70 years and we hope the tree will live on in her legacy for the next 70 years and beyond, to remind generations to come of her incredible achievement and dedication to the throne.

We are committed to providing sustainable and comfortable accommodation for our residents of the very best contemporary standard and it’s great to see some of the city’s most historic buildings being given a new lease of life to become essential homes for people in need.”

During the pandemic, Exeter Homes Trust also celebrated the completion of remodelling work at one of their developments, Atwill Palmer Almshouses, in Exeter’s New North Road. The site underwent a programme of sympathetic refurbishment work, part funded by a Homes England grant, to provide the Charity’s 150 residents with updated and energy efficient apartments, more suited to modern day living requirements.

For more information about Exeter Homes Trust, please visit: www.exeterhomestrust.com

Posted 5 April 22

Skies the limit, onwards and upwards!

The Buchanan Trust have been incredibly busy over the last few years. Having completed four new almshouses for army veterans last year, they are now full steam ahead with the building of two more.

They sent us a fantastic time lapse video of the installation of their new roof and floor trusses, writing,

“A cracking day onsite for The Buchanan Trust – Supporting Veterans, allowing the CJ Bayliss Ltd team install the new roof and floor trusses for two Almshouse Veteran cottages.

The renovation of the old dairy and stables will provide a further two new almshouse Veteran cottages later this year. This project comprises of one x 1 bedroom being fully DDA compliant; and one x 2 bedroom property that will be available for this Nation’s veterans and their families.
 
Specific thanks to The Buchanan Trust’s main funders: The Almshouse Association, Homes England, Saffer Cooper Consultancy , Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – Community Led Homes, The Eveson Charitable Trust, Sandy & Zorica Glen Charitable Trust and Veterans Raffle.“

Karl Gilmore | Trustee at The Buchanan Trust

See also:
New almshouses for veterans |
New almshouses for veterans |The Buchanan Trust: Four wonderful new almshouses! |

posted 24 Mar 22