Lambourn Almshouses | The Almshouse Association

New homes, new beginnings: Lambourn celebrates the opening of nine new almshouses

There was plenty of pride, gratitude and a warm welcome as residents, supporters and guests gathered for the official opening of nine new almshouse homes in Lambourn on Saturday 10th October 2026.

Created by converting the historic Methodist chapel into four apartments and building five new homes alongside it in a matching style, the development has brought new life to a familiar village building. More importantly, it has given local people a safe, affordable place to call home.

The new homes stand beside the existing Lambourn Almshouses, continuing a tradition of caring for people in housing need that began in 1502.

For everyone involved, the opening was an opportunity to celebrate years of work and see the difference it has made. Almshouse residents opened their homes to visitors, proudly showing them around and sharing their experiences of settling into their new surroundings.

One resident explained that just a year ago they had been homeless. Now, having a beautiful and secure home had transformed their life. It was a moving reminder of what the project has been about from the beginning.

The official opening was performed by Pete Penfold, whose family has been associated with the almshouses for four generations. Pete was there at the start of the project and helped shape the vision for the new homes, making it especially fitting that he should perform the opening.

Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL, Chair of The Almshouse Association, was delighted to join the celebrations. He praised the quality and workmanship of the development and spoke about the important contribution projects like this make to providing much needed social housing.

Sir Robin Niblett, Warden of New College, Oxford, and a trustee of the Lambourn Almshouses, also spoke about the importance of almshouse accommodation. He highlighted the value of offering safe, affordable homes within a community to people who have worked hard throughout their lives and now deserve comfort and security.

The Rev Julie Mintern, also a trustee, blessed the new homes and reminded guests of the long connection between the almshouses and the neighbouring Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels. Julie shared a glimpse of life in earlier centuries, when residents used a tunnel linking the almshouses to the church so that they could say the Lambourn Almshouse prayer twice a day. That is no longer a requirement for residents, she explained, although the close link between the church and the almshouses remains.

Welcoming guests, Christian Noll, Chair of Trustees, thanked the many people who had helped turn an ambitious idea into a welcoming place to live. He reflected on the generations who have cared for the almshouses over more than 500 years, and the responsibility of those looking after them today.

“Our responsibility is to care for what we have inherited and ensure that we pass it on in good order, ready to meet the needs of future generations,” he said.

Christian thanked the donors who had supported the project when there were no finished homes to visit, only a vision of what could be achieved. Their generosity and confidence in the charity had made the development possible. Special thanks were given to the Fred and Marjorie Sainsbury Charitable Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Syder Foundation, the Bradbury Trust, Greenham Trust, the Injured Jockeys Fund, the Bernard Sunley Foundation, and Mr and Mrs Nick Spence, alongside the many other individuals and organisations who contributed.

There was warm appreciation too for Heritage Construction and Mathewson Waters Architects, who worked through the many surprises that come with restoring historic buildings. What appeared to be a straightforward job often revealed another challenge, but the teams kept finding solutions and moving the project forward.

The gathering also remembered trustee Sharon Mooney, a trustee of the charity, who died on 22 August. Sharon cared deeply about the new homes, but even more about the people who would live in them. She helped choose and support residents, always made time for a conversation, and understood how much kindness and practical help could mean. Christian spoke of his pleasure that Sharon had seen the homes completed and the residents move in. The shared barbecues and friendships that followed were exactly the sort of community life she had hoped to see.

The charity’s clerk, Adele Swadling, was also thanked for the care and commitment she had brought to the countless forms, telephone calls, arrangements and details needed to make the project succeed.

Above all, the day belonged to the residents. Their pride in their homes, care for the gardens and growing friendships showed that the development is already becoming a settled and welcoming community.

As Christian told them: “These are your homes. This is your community. Seeing you settled here is the greatest reward for all the work that has gone into this project.”

For the Lambourn Almshouses, the opening is another chapter in a very long story. For the people living in the nine new homes, it is a new beginning.