Robert Smith Trust almshouses in Brancaster, Norfolk put on a special tea party to celebrate the Associations 75th anniversary of a lovely and warm September afternoon.  

They welcomed all residents, trustees and local tradesmen who had generously given their time during the recent building project. Partygoers also included the Chair of the Parish Council, the head teacher of the local school, their tenant farmer and the Vicar.  

The Chairman gave a warm welcome to all and his grandchildren were brilliant at replacing cups of tea and fetching and carrying.  

Their wonderful photos capture what a happy afternoon everyone spent together. Many thanks to Jane Gould, Clerk to the Trustees, for sending them into us.

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Popple’s almshouses, run by the Elizabeth Wadsworth Trust in Halifax, made the local news with their garden party to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The Almshouse Association.

They hung out our special anniversary bunting and The Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale performed the opening ceremony by cutting the tape.

Residents, families, friends and neighbours, trustees and staff all attended and the North Halifax Councillors and headteacher of our local primary school were also invited.

“The Trustees provided a substantial buffet and we were entertained by a local group called The Landlubbers.

Everyone had a fabulous day.”

Many thanks to Elizabeth Moore, Clerk to The Trustees of Elizabeth Wadsworth Charity for sending in these photos and writing in to tell us all about it!

Popple’s Almshouses were founded by philanthropist Elizabeth Wadsworth in 1832 to benefit single ladies aged 50 years and above. Elizabeth had connections with Anne Lister, as dramatised in the TV series Gentleman Jack, and wrote diaries from 1817-1829, around the same time as Ms Lister.

The trustees of Popple’s almshouses, which consist of four almshouses, have undertaken a significant refurbishment programme to repair and restore the Grade II listed wrought iron railings and re-open the right of way.

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The Foord Almshouses in Priestfields, Rochester held their Almshouse Association 75th Anniversary Garden Party on a beautiful September day in their stunning grounds.

Delicious food, special guests and a band ensured everyone enjoyed all getting together for the first time in a long time for their special day.

Clerk Joanne Guise sent in a lovely letter to the Association after the event, together with photos taken on the day.

The sunshine shone all day upon the 70 plus residents & guests who attended including the Deputy Mayor of Medway Councillor Kirstine Carr & her consort Mr Tony Setter.

A wonderful fun afternoon was had by all.

Happy Anniversary and thank you for all your ongoing support.

Joanne Guise
Clerk to the Trustees

Thank you to everyone at The Foords Almshouses for joining in our celebrations and sending in your fabulous photos!

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Tiverton Almshouse Trust has been supporting older people in Tiverton with quality homes and friendly warden support for many years and can traces its history back in Tiverton to 560 years ago. 

After such a difficult 18 months with the pandemic, it was good to have a great reason to celebrate.  There were events held at each of their two main almshouse community sites in Tiverton to mark the 75^th Anniversary of the formation of The Almshouse Association.

Residents were treated to a buffet, drinks and a celebratory cake at each event which was cut by the residents who had lived at each almshouse site the longest helped by John Pulford, Chair of the Charity.

Everyone was entertained by one of Tiverton’s own residents, Stan, who delivered some wonderful musical entertainment with tunes from yesteryear.

Doreen Woodward, Chief Executive of Tiverton Almshouse said

“The Residents, Directors and Staff felt this coming together was long overdue and it lifted everyone’s spirits, we were fortunate that the weather was warm and sunny which was an added bonus for all.”

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Almshouse Association Trustee Tricia Scouller sent us in some great photos of the party held at the Thomas Christie Almshouses in Bedford at the end of August.

Residents, trustees and staff joined in our 75th celebrations and those of almshouse charities all over the country.

It was a day to get on the party clothes and blow away the cobwebs of the last 18 months!

There was lots to catch up on and it looks like everyone enjoyed a wonderful garden party with a delicious afternoon tea and plenty of smiles!

History of the Thomas Christie Almshouse Charity

Thomas Christie was a seventeenth century Bedford lawyer. Not an especially wealthy man, but he cared about the needs of his community and used his money to provide enduring benefits for Bedford.
His biggest act of generosity came in 1682 when he built eight small almshouses in St Loyes, in the centre of Bedford. When he died in 1697, his will enabled needy people (often widows) to continue living in the little homes he had built.
In the 1960s, Bedford was being redeveloped and while these eight homes were no longer suitable for life in a modern world, their location in the centre of Bedford and long back gardens meant they were valuable properties.
The charity sold these homes, bought land along the Embankment and between 1964 and 1968 built the semi-circular Queen Anne-style building with 16 flats that they still have today. Built on the remaining mound of Bedford’s eleventh century castle, it has lovely views of the River Great Ouse and residents enjoy a prime location with easy access to the town centre.

The almshouses have communal gardens linking the two buildings and most residents have planters and hanging baskets outside their flats to enhance the beauty of the almshouses.
The residents prize their independence and individuality within the overall safety of the Thomas Christie community and for those that want to join in, there are social events that take place throughout the year; breakfast club, curling evenings, coffee mornings, tea parties, lunches, games afternoons and visiting speakers, choirs and singers.

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The Sir Josiah Mason Trust sent us in some absolutely fabulous photographs of the parties they held as part of the Association 75th anniversary year.

Over a two week period, they invited residents from their three main sites, Mason Cottages, Mason House and Mason Court to join in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of The Almshouse Association.

Residents and staff were all treated to a delicious afternoon tea and live entertainment.

Chief Executive of the Trust, David Healey (seen above) said

“This was a much needed an long overdue opportunity for residents across our 3 main sites to come together with each other and staff and enjoy afternoon Tea and Live entertainment.”

Thank you to everyone at Sir Josiah Mason Trust almshouses for joining in our celebrations and for sending in these fabulous photos. It looks like you all had a really great time!

More photos can be viewed on the charity’s website here

[top photo: Sir Josiah Mason Trust – Residents dancing at Mason Cottages 2021]

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On Saturday 11^th September celebrated 150 years of the Walpole Almshouses in Freethorpe and 75 years of the formation of The Almshouse Association.

Chair of the Trustees, Tony Tibbenham contacted us about their day and sent us in some photos of their special celebration commenting,

“The weather was lovely and sunny and we all had a most enjoyable afternoon. Former trustees were invited as special guests and Revd Greenland carried out a rededication of the plaque which takes pride of place on the front wall of the almshouses.”

“Residents, trustees and guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and a special celebration cake.”

Thank you for sharing your day with us Tony!

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