The Almshouse Association has been following the refurbishment journey of Tibberton Almshouses for the last two decades. We supported them with a loan and they have diligently kept the Association abreast of all the developments so it was wonderful to recently receive notification that the final part of their journey had been completed.

The Journey to the refurbishment of No2 Bovone Lane

Over the weekend of 28 to 30 April 2023 a new resident moved into the last of the refurbished almshouses in Bovone Lane, Tibberton, representing the culmination of a journey for the trustees of Tibberton Almshouses, of some twenty years.

Phil Bevan, Clerk / Treasurer to the Trustees of Tibberton Almshouses shared this update on the end of their twenty year journey:

With the help of a loan from The Almshouse Association and a grant from the Forest of Dean District Council (Publica Group), we were able to achieve our final objective (for now!).

  • No2 Bovone Lane was a one-bedroom property.
  • By forward planning and the expertise of our chairman with his DIY skills he was able to put forward a proposal to also provide a cloak room on the ground floor and a shower room on the first floor.
  • This entailed removing and re-siting the stairs from their original position to a new location, without prejudicing the floor space of the kitchen.
  • Removing all plaster, re-pointing inner walls to accept wall slurry to combat rising damp and insulating the walls.
  • Providing an LPG (buried) tank for new plumbing, heating and hot water.
  • The removal of the stairs and virtual demolition of the inside of the property.
  • The removal of ground flooring and replacing it with an insulated concrete floor.
  • New cloakroom.
  • New shower room on the first floor.
  • New heating and plumbing.
  • New electrics (including car charging station).

Demolition Derby!

The kitchen – before and after!

The stairs at the start … and finish (new location and 2 bannister rails)
Comprehensive views of the work undertaken on the first floor
Completed 1st Floor
Completed shower room

In Conclusion

The trustees of Tibberton Almshouses would not have been able to complete the renovation and refurbishment of the properties without: –

  • The commitment of the trustees.
  • The expertise and DIY skills of the Chairman.
  • The financial support of The Almshouse Association, for which we will always be very grateful.
  • The commitment of the Forest of Dean District Council (Publica Group) with generous grants.
  • The support of our Local County Councillor in providing us with a grant.
  • The local support of the Tibberton District Horticultural Society with grants.
  • The local support of Hales & Co Builders Merchants.
  • The support of the consistent team of contractors, Ian – building, Richard and John -electrics, Stuart – heating and plumbing, Pat – kitchen fitter, Mark – carpets, Keith -decorating and odd jobs and all those on the periphery for their support over the years. 

Like the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, it also takes a wonderful and willing community to rebuild an old legacy. The Tibberton community plus others have made sure these almshouses continue to provide safe and warm homes to people in need in the community for many generations to come.

Further reading:

[top photos l-r – Brian with Tibberton’s Almshouse’s spiritual friend the Rev’d Canon Helen Sammon; New resident Diane with Alison Evan (4th generation grand-daughter of benefactor; “happy band of domestics” (trustees!)]

posted 27 September 2023