Donna Sharp, Communications Volunteer at King Edward VI & The Revd Joseph Prime Almshouse Charity tells us all about the fantastic day the Saffron Walden Almshouses recently enjoyed.

“To support the UK-wide celebration of The Almshouse Association 75th anniversary we welcomed the public to a Garden Party in our grounds.

During the unexpectedly glorious sunny afternoon over 550 people attended, enjoying live music provided by Joanna Eden and Leigh McDonagh, almshouse resident Catherine Hunter and friends, and the U3A Ukelele group; children’s entertainment and face painting from Youth Create, and delicious things to eat from food trucks Sliderman (another resident’s new business) and The Giddy-Up Teacup, both of which sold out!”

“Although virtually in the centre of town (since 1400!), our historic buildings tend to be regarded as one of Saffron Walden’s ‘hidden gems’ so it was lovely to be able to share our history and what we do with so many interested visitors. “

We were especially delighted to welcome Cllr Arthur Coote, Chair of Uttlesford District Council, seen here with Nancy Grigg who is not only our oldest resident but was also for many years our Almshouses Warden, right up until the time that post ceased.

All images © Celia Bartlett Photography.

Almshouse Association member Kathryn Cooper sent us in the most fabulous photos from the party they held at their Linton Park Almshouses, south of Maidstone in Kent.

Kathryn writes

“Linton Park Almshouses have, in the past few years, celebrated lots of national events with a garden party. Margaret and Shirley love baking, Rosie makes bunting and everyone joins in!

So after this last 18 months The Almshouse Association 75th anniversary was a good enough excuse to party!

The residents of our five almshouses in Linton invited their families, friends and neighbours to our Garden Party on Sunday 5th September.

It was a gloriously sunny day and it was captured by Richard Butters, Chair of the Trustees, who came along and took all the photos.

Nothing puts more of a smile on our faces than other people’s happy smiles 🙂

If you have enjoyed an almshouse celebration recently and would like to see it posted on our website and/or social media accounts, please do not hesitate to get in touch with karenmorris@almshouses.org.

Posted 14 September 21

The Almshouse of Robert Stiles based in Newbury Street and Vicar’s Row, Wantage and the Wantage Town Lands based in Mill Street and Eagles Close, Wantage can trace their foundations back to 1598 and 1680.

With The Almshouse Association celebrating our 75th anniversary, they took the opportunity to join the celebratory occasion with a tea party for residents and trustees and guests.

Guest included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Dennis Blease, Wantage and Didcot MP, David Johnston and Mayor of Wantage (who is also a trustee) Jim Sibbald. The beautiful summer weather ensured that some 80 people enjoyed drinks and tea and cakes.

The two almshouses have 27 units with 33 residents.

Pictures courtesy of Scott Galbraith.

September 21

Dunton’s Almshouses in Dedham, Essex date back to the 16^th Century and said that celebrating our 75^th anniversary was a very good excuse to put on a party!

The weather was very kind to the trustees, residents and guests who enjoyed sandwiches, cakes, tea and musical entertainment. It was a really lovely day and requests are in to do it all over again!

After a fun-filled day, their oldest resident hitched a ride on her son’s mobility scooter up the garden slope to her back door!

September 21

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The St. John’s Homes Kempston Almshouses Charity holds a garden party to celebrate their 140th anniversary!

The St. John’s Homes Almshouses charity was set up by Mrs. Anne Charles Williamson in 1881 for local “retired and needy” members of the Church of England with 10 dwellings in the now Grade II listed building on Bedford Road.

Almost a century later, a warden’s flat, residents’ lounge and a further 10 dwellings were added, creating a courtyard garden between the two main buildings. There are currently 23 residents, forming a small local community.

Mrs. Anne Charles Williamson’s father and grandfather were both vicars, and both of Campton, near Shefford, but she grew up at the Manor House in Kempston, built for her grandfather in 1815. The Williamsons were significant benefactors to Kempston and Mrs. Anne, who died in 1927, also left a bequest for the building of The Church of the Transfiguration, completed in 1940.

Residents and trustees celebrated their milestone anniversary with an al fresco tea party in the courtyard and all the current residents were given memento toasters and keyfobs to mark the occasion.

September 21

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Caroline Dodds is the warden at Royal Albert and St Swithuns Almshouse based in Worcester Worcestershire.

Together with their Chair lady, Mrs Beverley Thompson, Clerk of trustees Mr John Wagstaff, trustees and Caroline’s husband Mark Dodds who she describes as her ‘volunteer in all occasions’, they

” Decided to have a fabulous time celebrating The Almshouse Association becoming 75 years old!

We are spread over two sites with varied age groups youngest being 63 years of age oldest being 93 in September .

We held  a BBQ  and quiz on the Saturday 7th August and much fun was had by all.

We were due to have an out door cinema but sadly the very British weather let us down with rain and wind.

On Sunday 8th August we held an Afternoon tea with a fabulous singer to entertain us .

Both sites were invited to each venue and joined in together with much laughter and happiness and chat was had by all .

We also took the opportunity to present our gardeners of the year from both sites for having a wonderful display in the gardens but also for always being willing and helpful to others. 

Caroline Dodds, warden at Royal Albert and St Swithuns Almshouse

We are glad that the weather did not spoil your celebrations!
Your photos really capture the happiness and community spirit found in almshouses all over the country. Well done to you all!

September 21

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Dunk’s almshouses, Hawkhurst joined in our 75^th celebrations with a garden party.

Their clerk, Lisa wrote in to tell us all about it

“We thought you would like to know that in celebration of The Almshouse Association’s 75th anniversary and to help raise funds for our educational fund we held a very successful garden party on Saturday 7th August.  The weather could have been kinder to us but we advertised it well – you will see from the attached photo of the banner and despite the rain was very well attended. 

The Trustees set up a display showing the history of the almshouse with old photos and narrative detailing the wishes of Sir Thomas Dunk in his Will for 6 houses to be built for the poor of the Parish plus a schoolroom and accommodation for the schoolmaster for the education of the poor boys of the Parish. 

Sir Thomas Dunk died in 1718 and the building works were completed in 1723 when the first residents moved in and the schoolroom was opened. 

The residents and trustees made lots of cakes and savouries which we sold and also served with teas and coffees for which we asked a donation.  Plus one of the resident’s daughters made an amazing cake for us to guess the weight of and there was a raffle.  In all we took £474.50 which will go to help the children of the village as per the legacy left by Sir Thomas Dunk in his Will.

The community spirit was tremendous and despite the hard work was much enjoyed by all especially the residents who invited family and friends. “

We are so pleased you all enjoyed your party and thank you for sharing your celebration with us !

August 21

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Gillian Kent, Clerk to the Governors at Christ’s Hospital Almshouses in Abingdon sent us in some wonderful photos of their almshouse party that took place held on 30th July 2021 as part of The Almshouse Assocation’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

Gillian writes:

“When the call came from The Almshouse Association to show our support for their 75^th Anniversary, there was no question that the staff would rally round.  We have tapped into their endless resources of forms and policy templates, training and general good advice and we felt as though this was the perfect opportunity to ‘give back’.

So much planning, so much preparation, consideration and a lot of weather watching – the day finally came, and the weather was indeed appalling.   Nevertheless, we held our nerve.  We kept calm and carried on!  The health and safety briefing was held in the garden with the residents in their waterproofs and then it was time to open the doors and hang on valiantly to the gazebo and the teacups as the wind tried to whisk us away!   It was incredibly fortunate that we had an empty almshouse available that could be opened as a ‘show home’ on the day, without too much disturbance to other residents.  We opened our Long Alley historic hall and also the very private back gardens to Long Alley. 

With the opening up of the almshouse and gardens being a complete one off, people’s curiosity got the better of them despite the rain.  We had around 150 visitors on the day and they were treated to tales from the residents, information about the almshouses and The Almshouse Association, of which we are proud members, and all the history we could muster from our incorporation in 1553 by King Edward VI’s royal charter to the present day.  The staff, trustees and residents who volunteered to help all seemed to thoroughly enjoy ‘showing off’ what we have achieved.  The event was attended by Abingdon Town’s Mayor.

The Hospital Hall will again be open for Heritage Open Days – Saturday 18^th September 10am to 4pm.

Posted 24 August 2021

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