Winsley’s Charity is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year, marking 300 years of providing homes and community support to people in Colchester.
The Charity was founded through the generosity of Arthur Winsley, an 18th-century wool and cloth dealer, who left Brickhouse Farm and £500 in his Will. The farm was transformed into twelve almshouses and a chapel for men over 60 who had “lived well and fallen into decay”. Reflecting the customs of the time, wives were originally required to leave the almshouses on the death of their husbands, something that would clearly not happen today.
Over the years, additional benefactors have helped the charity grow and adapt. While much has changed, its founding mission has remained the same: to provide safe, affordable housing and dignity for those in need. For three centuries, the almshouses have supported generations of residents, offering not only a home but also a sense of security and community.
Clerk to the Trustees, Sareena Cobden, described the anniversary as “an extraordinary moment,” noting that the charity is preparing to embark on a £2 million renovation programme to improve existing homes and create new ones.
To mark the tricentenary, a programme of events will take place throughout the year, celebrating the charity’s history and the people who have shaped it.
As Winsley’s Charity looks to the future, its trustees remain committed to the principles of compassion, stability and service that have guided its work for 300 years.
Contributor: Sareena Cobden | Clerk to the Trustees
posted 13 May 2026