On May Day, residents, trustees, and friends of Chubbs Almshouses in Crewkerne, Somerset gathered at 9am to celebrate the changing seasons. Marking the Solstice and welcoming the summer, the group was treated to a joyful performance of the Padstow Song.
The event was organised by long-time resident, Jackie Setter and her fellow folk singer, Meg Rose. Jackie, now 95, has lived at Chubbs for over twenty years and is a beloved figure in the local community. A talented artist and seasoned gig performer, Jackie hasn’t lost her voice, in fact, she inspired (and gently shamed!) a few in the crowd who’d yet to find theirs.
Jackie lives in one of the oldest almshouses on the site, a sandstone terrace dating back to 1604. Around the corner stand four more, built in the 1860s. All eight are charming two-storey, one-bedroom homes with both upstairs and downstairs toilets, backing onto a beautifully kept communal garden.
That garden is the pride and joy of another Resident, Ken Cox, who was awarded a Gold Medal in the Crewkerne in Bloom competition last autumn.
From music to gardening, Chubbs Almshouses are clearly full of life, colour and community spirit.
photo credit: Jeff Hutson
posted 8 May 2025