On a glorious spring morning in April, The Richmond Charities had the honour of welcoming a very distinguished guest to their newest almshouses – The Elizabeth Twining Almshouses in Mitre Mews, Richmond.
The almshouses, which are beautifully designed and Passivhaus-aligned, are discreetly nestled in a quiet corner of Richmond, seamlessly blending into their surroundings despite their contemporary aesthetic. Their thoughtful architecture ensures both sustainability and harmony with the local landscape.
HRH The Duke is presented to the Mayor of Richmond
Chair of The Richmond Charities, Jeremy Williams, presents HRH to CEO Juliet Ames-Lewis…
..and to Stephen Twining, descendant of Elizabeth Twining, whose legacy and contributions to the community were honoured by naming the almshouses after her.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester began his visit by discussing the site’s layout and design with architect Clive Chapman before stepping inside ‘No.4’ to meet residents and learn about their lives within the almshouse community. Stephen Twining, a descendant of the renowned Twining family, shared insights into his family’s history, enriching the occasion with a sense of legacy and tradition.
Architect Clive Chapman points out areas of the design
Meeting residents
Resident Ruki Alberts proudly shows her new home to HRH
The visit concluded with a warm gathering of residents, trustees and staff in a marquee set within the gardens of Church Estate Almshouses. In a fitting tribute to the occasion, His Royal Highness unveiled a beautifully crafted commemorative plaque and was presented with a hand-painted depiction of the almshouses by local artist Matthew Wright, who has lovingly captured all of Richmond Charities’ estates in his artwork.
Everyone at the charity expressed how delighted they were to meet HRH The Duke of Gloucester. It was a memorable occasion that will be cherished for years to come.
CEO of The Almshouse Association commented,
“It was a great honour to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to the outstanding Richmond Charities. The Duke showed genuine interest in the modern architecture and the innovative Passivhaus development, recognising it as the latest chapter in a 400-year tradition of providing quality homes for those in need in Richmond. He praised the Charity’s leadership for their courage and commitment to continue building in response to the growing demand for affordable housing. Hearing him speak so knowledgeably and passionately about the almshouse movement was truly inspiring.”
Association CEO, Nick Phillips; resident, Ruki Alberts; Charity CEO, Jeremy Williams; Scheme Managers, Genevieve Thompson and Claire Sanecka
Charity CEO, Jeremy Williams; Mayoress Helen Pyne, Mayor Richard Pyne
Genevieve Thompson, Juliet Ames-Lewis, Claire Sanecka
Jeremy Williams, Gillian Norton OBE DL, Nick Phillips
Resident, Jemima Prasadam
Residents Gurdip Lota and Beryl Gray; Paula Gray, resident’s daughter; Mike Townsin, Trustee;
Rachel Wooden, Senior Occupational Therapist, LBRuT
See also: HRH The Duke of Gloucester unveils new almshouses in Richmond – London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
posted 8 April 2025