The Perry Almshouse Charity

Trustees and residents in Winterbourne celebrated the 170th Anniversary of their beautiful Grade II listed almshouses as well as the 75th Anniversary of The Almshouse Association.

A garden party was held in beautiful sunshine and, to commemorate this very special occasion, a Hawthorn tree was planted by Dee Russell-Thomas, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucester.

Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England, cut a fabulous celebratory cake along with the longest resident, Monica Cannings, who took up residency in 1990.

Other attendees included Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association and Jack Lopresti MP who installed a commemorative plaque, as well as local South Gloucestershire and Winterbourne Parish Councillors who have given their support to the almshouse charity.

Built and conveyed in 1851 by a local benefactress, Mary Anne Jones, The Perry Almshouse Charity almshouses have been a local landmark and have housed those in need within the ancient parish of Winterbourne for 170 years.

The almshouses were named by Mary out of respect for her grandfather – the local Squire, William Perry.

Top picture: Monica Cannings (longest resident), Dee Russell-Thomas (Deputy Lord Lieutenant), Jeanette Climmer (guest) and Janet Saunders (resident)

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A beautiful celebratory cake, made by a 95 year old resident, was shared at a successful networking and celebratory event.

The trustees from the Andros Almshouse Charity in South Chailey hosted an informal breakfast network event in September 2021 which took place at Grantham Close, where the charity have 35 flats, currently giving homes to 41 residents.

The event was an outstanding success, and welcomed trustees from local almshouses, including Haywards Heath, Ardingly and East Grinstead.

It was wonderful to meet everyone and hear all about their charities and the history behind them. The outcome of the meeting was unanimous, agreeing that they would like to continue to collaborate, enabling everyone to share knowledge, growing bigger and better and raise the profile of almshouses in their local area and throughout the country.

The trustees of the Andros Almshouse Charity are working closely together to work towards a greener future by looking at heating upgrades, bicycle sheds and electric car points. They are passionate about their carbon footprint and keeping up-to-date with changing developments.

They are also enthusiastic about working closely with The Almshouse Association and want to share practices and experiences with others. With this in mind, they are aiming to become a Regional Champion for the South East region.

They were extremely pleased to host this event in their newly decorated residents centre and enlisted the services of a local caterer who provided an outstanding breakfast using local Sussex produce.

Like many big events this year, their plans for the 75th Anniversary celebrations have had to be postponed to next year. However, they took the opportunity to have a beautiful celebratory cake made by 95 year old resident Pat Stepney, who has lived happily at Grantham Close for 37 years.  

They were also joined by many other residents for tea and coffee and to enjoy a slice of Pat’s delicious cake!

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A Celebration Event at Jonathan Feedham Court. 

Held on Saturday 18^th September 2021, the event was to mark the completion of the new courtyard with its raised flower beds, new paved surface and seating for the seven residents in this set of almshouses, one of two sets managed by the Wivenhoe Housing Trust.

The trustees also turned it into an opportunity to mark The Almshouse Association’s 75^th Anniversary by choosing a 1940s themed party, which was held in the new courtyard.

Vice chair of the almshouse charity, Bob Needham, brought his colleagues from the Wivenhoe Hoolies to entertain the 30 or so people who came. The Hoolies are a local sea shanty group, which was appropriate as Jonathan Feedham was himself a sea-faring man and whose legacy funded the building of these particular 7 bungalows with preference for people with maritime connections.

To everyone’s delight, The Hoolies sang a sea shanty especially written for the almshouses,

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, was delighted to be able to attend, along with the local Mayor, Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan.

Guests included residents from both almshouses, trustees and additional people related to the almshouses.

Almshouse Association Honorary Treasurer, Simon Ling FCA sent us in photos of the Ashtead United Charity Garden Party.

A fabulous day was had by all as the sun shined. The marquee and chairs were borrowed from the Church and the tea, including the magnificent cake, was provided by the lady who also runs the Church cafe.

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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.