Almshouse Stories | The Almshouse Association

Partnership ensures completion of Calderdale almshouse refurb

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

Progress report from Buchanan Trust

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

Ten acres of tree-planting at Manorial Wood in Sutton Coldfield

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

Exeter Homes Trust marks Platinum Jubilee

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.”

Exeter-Homes-Trust-Tree-Unveiling-HurstTrumps-GRW-Photography

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

More veteran almshouses take shape

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

posted 24 Mar 22

Almshouses in Country Life magazine

Almshouses: What they are, how they were created and why they’re still relevant in the 21st century.

The Almshouse Association is delighted to see almshouses and their important role in the 21st century highlighted by Clive Aslet, writer, publisher and Visiting Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge, in Country Life magazine on 13 March 22.

A wonderful five page spread with stunning photographs takes the reader on a journey through the monastic beginning of almshouses to the present day, as well as exploring the history of Winchester’s Hospital of St Cross almshouses, founded in 1132.

The admissions process involved – as it still does – an interview with the master, followed by two nights at the hospital, to assess whether the applicant would fit in. Once accepted, the new arrival spends six months as a postulant, before being admitted as a full brother. ‘I loved being at Oxford, living in medieval buildings,’ discloses Brother Bevis. ‘The other day, I was looking at the great row of chimneys at St Cross and thinking how lucky I was to live in such harmonious surroundings. My rooms date from 1445 and there is a graffito that one of the brothers carved in 1512.’ Time past and time present, as T. S. Eliot might have said, are both contained in the future of Britain’s flourishing almshouses’. Clive Aslet

If you would like to read the full article, we have scanned a copy which can be accessed by clicking in the link below.

https://www.almshouses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Country-Life-9-March-21.pdf

posted 22 Mar 22

Research funding awarded to ARC

The Almshouse Association is delighted to see further investment in almshouse research. This area of research is helping the Association move forward in our understanding and will support our growing body of research which we have expanded significantly since 2020. There is a great team in place and we look forward to working with them over the coming months.

The Dunhill Medical Trust has awarded funding of £287,000 to ARC (Almshouse Resilient Communities) for the Future, a project led by UCL in collaboration with the University of Suffolk and seven almshouse charity partners: United St Saviour’s Charity, The Whiteley Homes Trust, Sir Josiah Mason Trust, Bristol Charities, Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association (DAMHA), Legacy East Almshouse Partnership (LEAP) and Southwark Charities.

The Dunhill Medical Trust writes:

The project will explore resilience – the capability to adapt and evolve in response to significant change – in almshouse accommodation for older people. The types of change we will look at range from pandemic lockdown and climate change to local changes, such as in staffing, governance or local facilities. ARC aims to find evidence of ways in which our partners support community resilience (that is, enabling resident communities to support each other in maintaining a high quality of life despite changes), support built environment resilience (that is, ensuring that the buildings and facilities continue to support independent, comfortable living) and support governance resilience (that is, ensuring that charity structures and practices are effective within the local context so that almshouse charities continue into the future).

Principal Investigator, Dr Niamh Murtagh, commented: “I’m delighted that we have won funding for our exciting project which takes a multi-disciplinary perspective on resilience in housing communities for older people. Almshouses in some form have existed for a thousand years and still offer a valuable model of housing and community for an ageing population. We’ll be working with a wide range of sites, from those in operation for over a hundred years to sites which have just received planning permission, and from County Durham to Bristol to East Anglia. Almshouse settings offer a fantastic opportunity to investigate resilience holistically and with sensitivity to context and from which we hope to learn lessons of importance for older housing and community resilience more generally. An important theme in our research will be the connection between diversity, equity and inclusion and resilience.”

Zoe Richardson, Director of Operations and Deputy CEO at the Sir Josiah Mason Trust, commented: “SJMT is really excited to be part of this project. Our oldest Almshouse charity is over 450 years old and we know the difference that this housing model makes to our residents. We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate this and be part of a national research project.”

Martyn Craddock, United St Saviour’s Charity CEO, commented: “We are pleased that our contribution to the ARC project will result in a toolkit which can benefit the almshouse movement and other social housing providers. As the needs increase to provide older people with safe and affordable housing options, this toolkit will not only inform our best practice but also facilitate a collaborative and shared-learning ethos within the UK social housing for older people sector.”

Whiteley Village Community — Photo credit: The Whiteley Homes Trust

Rachel Hill, CEO of The Whiteley Homes Trust, commented: “As a charity for older people in need, giving our beneficiaries a voice is at the heart of what we do. Through our collaborative research with them and our partners, we’re committed to sharing their learning about the benefits of almshouse living and promoting innovative new practice. So, we are especially pleased and proud to be a part of this timely new project – one which will also help inform our own vision to build more almshouses, ensuring this ancient form of social housing remains relevant for the centuries to come.”

Susan Kay, CEO of The Dunhill Medical Trust, commented: “We have made a substantial commitment to support initiatives that develop and deliver suitable living environments and communities for older people. This project comes at a time when issues related to resilience and equity, diversity and inclusion have come strongly to the fore. This project will investigate these issues in almshouse accommodation for older people, and we look forward to working with all the project partners to help them share their learning.”

posted 21 Mar 22

Is now the time for a new wave of almshouses for refugees?

Events in Ukraine are a disturbing reminder of how easy it is for people to suddenly lose their homes as a result of war or persecution. Over the years there have been all too many cases where people have been forced to flee their homes, whether that be from Afghanistan, Syria or many others and, unfortunately, we know that this is unlikely to be the last time we see people having to fleeing from their homes and their country.

Could the almshouse model provide new stability for housing refugees?

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association considers how the model could benefit those fleeing Ukraine and other conflicts and asks if the time is right to time to build a new generation of almshouses for todays displaced persons.

“For centuries almshouses have been the safe, warm refuge for those in need of a home and community. Traditionally almshouses have been provided by philanthropists for those in the community most at need at the time. Those founders have often seen a need in their parish, town or even specific industry. The founders of almshouses may have seen a housing need amongst widows of the parish, miners, soldiers or fishermen. All the benefactors identified and enshrined in the founders wishes for centuries.
I wonder if todays philanthropist may see the local need reflect the global changes afoot? Families fleeing desperate situations in Afghanistan, Syria and now Ukraine, having gained rights to remain in the community, may be today’s most desperate families and there is no better home and sanctuary than the almshouse community.
Almshouses have survived with their founders’ intentions because they are uniquely protected. They are the oldest charities and the oldest form of community housing going back 1,000 years even to the original 7 of acts mercy that include giving shelter to the traveller.
Philanthropists have always stepped forward during crisis to establish new almshouses from the plight of their fellow man during plague, Civil War, Industrial Revolution, Poor Laws, World Wars and now perhaps we see the plight of refugees needing a safe secure community over the long term.
An almshouse charity established today could be providing homes for refugees in housing need for hundreds of years to come; over its lifetime an almshouse could change the lives of thousands of people in need of a safe place to live.
Almshouses offer a proven community housing model for which it seems there is a growing, desperate need for. Anyone looking to establish a new almshouse charity or seeking to expand their current provision can reach out to The Almshouse Association for advice on how to achieve this.
We may not be able to replace everything that these people have lost, but almshouse charities can provide a strong foundation from which to rebuild through the provision of a stable home.”
as featured in ‘Inside Housing’ Comment 17 03 22

Posted 17 Mar 2022

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

On 6th February this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives are taking place throughout the year, culminating in a four day bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. The long bank holiday will provide a wonderful opportunity for communities and people throughout the UK to come together to celebrate the historic milestone with public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.

In addition, initiatives including The Queen’s Green Canopy will create a lasting reminder of The Queen’s Jubilee, while The Queen’s private estates will also join in with special Jubilee themed events offering more opportunities for members of the public to celebrate this historic moment in history.

Are you planning your own celebrations?

If so, The Royal Family website – www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee-central-weekend is full of ideas on how to get involved. Like other almshouse charities, you may have already planted a tree as part of the Queens Green Canopy, or are busy organising your own almshouse party to take place on the weekend of the Big Jubilee lunch, like Dunk’s almshouses in Hawkhurst. The Trustees have decided to hold a lunch-time BBQ for the residents over the long bank holiday weekend. Clerk, Lisa Panting will be on hand with her camera to take lots of photos of the event to share with us and one of the resident’s daughters is already busy making bunting for the garden!

Whatever your plans, we would love to hear about them! Please send in your story and photos to karenmorris@almshouses.org

_{Trustees Keith Sugden, Simon Talbott and Michael Pooles of Great Shelford Parochial Charities planting an oak sapling on More’s Meadow}

_{Barnstaple Almshouse Charity plant a tree at the opening ceremony of their new gardens at Penrose Almshouses}

_{On 7th December 2021, battling high winds, the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Sarah Furness, accompanied by the Chairman of St John and St Anne Almshouse Charity, David Patterson, planted a Winter Cherry in the grounds of St Anne’s Close}

Click here to read all about the Barnstaple Almshouses tree planting
More Jubilee stories coming soon !

(event photos and logo images courtesy of www.royal.uk and queensgreencanopy.org)

Posted 7 March 21

Hillier Almshouses celebrate 50 years!

Hillier Almshouse have just celebrated being in their current building for 50 years!

Val Richards, Manager/Clerk to the Trustees at the almshouses sent us in some fabulous photos of the cake and special guests as well as ashort history of the charity. She writes,

“We had a fantastic party on Saturday and our guests included Lord Onslow (our patron), Lady Onslow and Lady Onslow (dowager). We also enjoyed the company of the major and her escort. “

Maureen Hibberd (Chair of trustees), Lady Onslow (Dowager), Lady Onslow, Lord Onslow, Nigel Manning (Mayor escort) and Marsha Moseley (Mayor)

A Short History of Hillier Almshouses, Farnham Road

Hillier’s Charity began on November 6th 1798 when Elizabeth Hillier gave £2500 to trustees; but she died before the purpose of her gift had been legally declared. In her will she stated her intention of buying a piece of ground and building and endowing an almshouse for seven women.

Her brother Nathaniel, an executor of her will, decided that Elizabeth had intended the trusts to be used for this purpose and Hilliers Charity was created on 25th November 1800. The first almshouses, for eight women, were built in Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London.

In 1878 twelve new cottages were built in Farnham Road, Guildford, within the parish of St Nicholas, on a piece of land donated by William Hillier, Nathaniel`s heir. In 1971 the cottages were replaced with a new building containing studios for 36 residents and a warden. Some of the structure from the original, ornate, arts and crafts building has been preserved and can be seen in the bus stop on the Farnham Road also in the summerhouse which stands in the garden of Hillier House.

In 2005 the Charity undertook major building work and converted eight of its studio flats into four spacious one bed roomed flats. In 2010 a further four studios where converted to one bed roomed flats. Finally, in 2014 the last four upstairs studios were converted to one-bedroom flats completing the program to convert all the upstairs studios into flats.

Trustee body
The Charity is run in accordance with the schemes prepared by the Charity Commission. The Charity is administered by voluntary trustees nominated by local churches, including St Nicholas and Guildford Borough Council. Day-to-day administration is carried out by the warden and the clerk.
Almshouses
Almshouses are unfurnished dwellings, usually specially designed with the needs of older people in mind. The aim is to provide convenient and comfortable accommodation in a setting which allows residents to come and go as they please. Almshouses provide security and residents are encouraged to make friends and share a wider social life through use of the communal lounge and other facilities. Most almshouses have a resident warden and an emergency call system in each unit. In an emergency, such as sudden illness or after a fall, a resident can get help quickly.

posted 3 March 22