My great uncle lived very happily in one of the Lord Burghley Almshouses in the 1980s and 1990s. A lovely location on the River Welland and I never heard him complain about the heating so hopefully things had improved in that direction.
Goodness. I was only thinking this yesterday as we drove past the large development of almshouses, The Keene Memorial Homes, in Chelmsford and then the Lord Petre ones in Ingatestone. The Chelmsford ones are more modern, built in 1933 and clearly very carefully considered with space between the 14 flats and 28 bungalows and yes,there are indeed washing lines! And in my perambulations back and forth to the Hospital for work - these are very regularly used although I have never seen anyone outside pegging things out. There is also an interesting canopied semi circular, sitting area for sunny days when you are in need of shade. I think this development would have represented a considerable outlay in terms of money and was built in the depression years. Interestingly the Mildmay mission are building new almshouses in Chelmsford. Modern and less interesting architecturally but very welcome. Maybe because they are not as interesting to look at these new ones go under the radar and we are missing them. Thank you Jane for brightening my Sunday. It is so nice to know that there are others our there taking pictures and thinking about the English domestic. I find that very soothing to know.
Social housing should be beautiful and practical I agree. The punitive, draughty slices of pie around a chapel you describe sounds awful! Check out the cheerful coloured houses of Grodians in Shetland. Just one of several well designed Hjaltland schemes https://www.hjaltland.org.uk/properties/schemes/lerwick/grodians
There are gardens, parking, bin store, walking distance to shops and schools. Shows what can be done even in these often windy and cold isles.
What a thoughtful article. And you are absolutely right about the lack of modern day philanthropy.
Even better than relying on the charity of the super rich, what about fair taxation based on your contribution to society, so those, like small business owners who add to our local high streets, are supported, not penalised by the current, uneven playing field?
I had hoped to upload a photograph of the beautiful almshouses for women in Coventry but sadly the system doesn’t allow it.
thanks for the link - I think I've had a look at these when in Coventry, but any excuse to go back and look again at both the hospital and the wonderful cathedral!
Such an interesting read thank you - I frequently pass a lovely little row of almshouses near where I live - you’ve prompted me to look them up and find out about them (https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3646762). I was also reminded of a recent-ish Shedunnit suggested book - ‘Fear for Miss Betony’ by Dorothy Bowers, a wonderful golden age detection novel. In the first chapter Miss Betony is contemplating admission to the ‘Toplady Endowed Homes for Decayed Gentlewomen’. As a rapidly decaying gentlewoman (of sorts) it sounds pretty off putting !
Very interesting. It suddenly struck me that, although not called an almhouse or poorhouse, my late grandfather did indeed spend his later years somewhere similar. When he could no longer use the stairs in his council house in Scotland, he qualified for a small semi-detached bungalow with tiny garden in a cul-de-sac in his village, built by a local foundation.
I've just found a cutting from a local free paper last year about Prescott's. Not as quite as charming as Ainsworth's though they are Grade II listed. They were built 1883 for the aged and infirm of Reddish with money from the will of W.W. Prescott, drysalter to the hat trade. Nice to have a Stockport related chat!
As a Stockport resident (as you were formerly I believe) I was aware of the attractive James Ainsworth's almshouses in Heaton Norris and also W.W. Prescott's in Reddish Road, Reddish. Your feature prompted me to look for more in Stockport and found them in Poynton and Marple both close to churches.
Yes! I think the Heaton Norris almshouses are lovely and really interesting architecturally. (My best friend from primary school lived round the corner for years, and I liked seeing them when I visited.) I must have a look at Prescott's, not far from where my sister lives!
What an interesting article-one that makes my cheeks burn in shame as to how we, in the US, are dealing with our poor and unhoused. We need more charity, more comfort.
I so look forward to reading yarstorm every Sunday. This article was fascinating. I ordered a copy of the book about almshouses in London. Are you considering further research about the domestic side of almshouses, hopefully for a book?
Such a fascinating read, thank you. Have you seen the almshouses in Fulbourn? I often walk past them and they frequently have people sitting outside the houses in groups or pairs.
Another great post, with book links to follow up on, images to savor, and fascinating history to explore. We have nothing similar in the US, either historically or architecturally--just far too many people living on the streets because the short-term shelters are so unpleasant and there's little will to create better options. "Distressed" is in fact a very apt word for them. And trust Dickens (Charles) for a marvelous turn of phrase: " . . . parentheses in the close and blotted texts of the streets”.
Thank you for your very interesting piece, Jane, and superb images. I clicked on the aGirton and Great Shelford links.. So creating almshouses could be a way to avoid the "right to buy" and the loss of social housing stock (which I spent 5 fulfilling years of my architectural career designing)? Very interesting
I've visited a few historic Beguinages in Belgium too which are beautiful and with intimate domestic scale communal spaces, but always the rule board because, of course, single women could not be trusted to behave properly without them!
I was thinking about the beguines as well, they've always seemed fascinating as "safe spaces"! I was very heartened recently to read in an article about environmentally conscious domestic architecture the acknowledgement that communal laundries are far better all round than trying to compensate for wasing and drying machines in every home (energy use and humidity) - I really miss having a launderette around the corner!
Many quite nice apartment buildings in the US have communal laundry facilities, though newer buildings tend to tout washer/dryers in apartments as "amenities." My sister recently moved to an apartment with a washer-dryer hook-up but chose not to install them--she uses the communal facilities in the basement and doesn't have to be responsible for their maintenance.
Very true. A Swedish friend in Gothenburg has lived for very many years in a totally standard block of flats with communal washing and drying facilities in the basement. The underground car park was also designed as a nuclear bomb shelter...
My great uncle lived very happily in one of the Lord Burghley Almshouses in the 1980s and 1990s. A lovely location on the River Welland and I never heard him complain about the heating so hopefully things had improved in that direction.
Goodness. I was only thinking this yesterday as we drove past the large development of almshouses, The Keene Memorial Homes, in Chelmsford and then the Lord Petre ones in Ingatestone. The Chelmsford ones are more modern, built in 1933 and clearly very carefully considered with space between the 14 flats and 28 bungalows and yes,there are indeed washing lines! And in my perambulations back and forth to the Hospital for work - these are very regularly used although I have never seen anyone outside pegging things out. There is also an interesting canopied semi circular, sitting area for sunny days when you are in need of shade. I think this development would have represented a considerable outlay in terms of money and was built in the depression years. Interestingly the Mildmay mission are building new almshouses in Chelmsford. Modern and less interesting architecturally but very welcome. Maybe because they are not as interesting to look at these new ones go under the radar and we are missing them. Thank you Jane for brightening my Sunday. It is so nice to know that there are others our there taking pictures and thinking about the English domestic. I find that very soothing to know.
Social housing should be beautiful and practical I agree. The punitive, draughty slices of pie around a chapel you describe sounds awful! Check out the cheerful coloured houses of Grodians in Shetland. Just one of several well designed Hjaltland schemes https://www.hjaltland.org.uk/properties/schemes/lerwick/grodians
There are gardens, parking, bin store, walking distance to shops and schools. Shows what can be done even in these often windy and cold isles.
What a thoughtful article. And you are absolutely right about the lack of modern day philanthropy.
Even better than relying on the charity of the super rich, what about fair taxation based on your contribution to society, so those, like small business owners who add to our local high streets, are supported, not penalised by the current, uneven playing field?
I had hoped to upload a photograph of the beautiful almshouses for women in Coventry but sadly the system doesn’t allow it.
So very true. As long as the super-rich weren't allowed to claim that they contribute to society :)
Here are the beautiful homes in Coventry:
https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory-record/49568/ford-s-hospital
Worth a visit, should you be going to the fabulous cathedral.
thanks for the link - I think I've had a look at these when in Coventry, but any excuse to go back and look again at both the hospital and the wonderful cathedral!
Such an interesting read thank you - I frequently pass a lovely little row of almshouses near where I live - you’ve prompted me to look them up and find out about them (https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3646762). I was also reminded of a recent-ish Shedunnit suggested book - ‘Fear for Miss Betony’ by Dorothy Bowers, a wonderful golden age detection novel. In the first chapter Miss Betony is contemplating admission to the ‘Toplady Endowed Homes for Decayed Gentlewomen’. As a rapidly decaying gentlewoman (of sorts) it sounds pretty off putting !
These are really beautiful! Thanks for the link, and for the reading recommendation. PS, I love your work!
Oh thank you so much Jane - lovely of you to say.
Very interesting. It suddenly struck me that, although not called an almhouse or poorhouse, my late grandfather did indeed spend his later years somewhere similar. When he could no longer use the stairs in his council house in Scotland, he qualified for a small semi-detached bungalow with tiny garden in a cul-de-sac in his village, built by a local foundation.
I've just found a cutting from a local free paper last year about Prescott's. Not as quite as charming as Ainsworth's though they are Grade II listed. They were built 1883 for the aged and infirm of Reddish with money from the will of W.W. Prescott, drysalter to the hat trade. Nice to have a Stockport related chat!
As a Stockport resident (as you were formerly I believe) I was aware of the attractive James Ainsworth's almshouses in Heaton Norris and also W.W. Prescott's in Reddish Road, Reddish. Your feature prompted me to look for more in Stockport and found them in Poynton and Marple both close to churches.
Yes! I think the Heaton Norris almshouses are lovely and really interesting architecturally. (My best friend from primary school lived round the corner for years, and I liked seeing them when I visited.) I must have a look at Prescott's, not far from where my sister lives!
What an interesting article-one that makes my cheeks burn in shame as to how we, in the US, are dealing with our poor and unhoused. We need more charity, more comfort.
Thanks for this really interesting piece. I'm from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and if you ever find yourself in the area, you might like to have a look at the almshouses in Newland, near Coleford. https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101212420-william-jones-almshouses-newland/photos
Good pub in the village too, and lovely walks.
What lovely almshouses - thanks for the link and recommendations.
Fascinating! I love the almshouses in Wells and Winchester, within spit of the cathedral, and will look up the others mentioned.
Me, too. Very beautiful!
I so look forward to reading yarstorm every Sunday. This article was fascinating. I ordered a copy of the book about almshouses in London. Are you considering further research about the domestic side of almshouses, hopefully for a book?
It's really just personal interest, but it would be nice to bring them all together!
Such a fascinating read, thank you. Have you seen the almshouses in Fulbourn? I often walk past them and they frequently have people sitting outside the houses in groups or pairs.
My husband said exactly the same thing to me after he read this as he often cycles past them. So I'm promised a walk-past soon!
Another great post, with book links to follow up on, images to savor, and fascinating history to explore. We have nothing similar in the US, either historically or architecturally--just far too many people living on the streets because the short-term shelters are so unpleasant and there's little will to create better options. "Distressed" is in fact a very apt word for them. And trust Dickens (Charles) for a marvelous turn of phrase: " . . . parentheses in the close and blotted texts of the streets”.
Thank you for your very interesting piece, Jane, and superb images. I clicked on the aGirton and Great Shelford links.. So creating almshouses could be a way to avoid the "right to buy" and the loss of social housing stock (which I spent 5 fulfilling years of my architectural career designing)? Very interesting
I've visited a few historic Beguinages in Belgium too which are beautiful and with intimate domestic scale communal spaces, but always the rule board because, of course, single women could not be trusted to behave properly without them!
I was thinking about the beguines as well, they've always seemed fascinating as "safe spaces"! I was very heartened recently to read in an article about environmentally conscious domestic architecture the acknowledgement that communal laundries are far better all round than trying to compensate for wasing and drying machines in every home (energy use and humidity) - I really miss having a launderette around the corner!
Many quite nice apartment buildings in the US have communal laundry facilities, though newer buildings tend to tout washer/dryers in apartments as "amenities." My sister recently moved to an apartment with a washer-dryer hook-up but chose not to install them--she uses the communal facilities in the basement and doesn't have to be responsible for their maintenance.
Very true. A Swedish friend in Gothenburg has lived for very many years in a totally standard block of flats with communal washing and drying facilities in the basement. The underground car park was also designed as a nuclear bomb shelter...
Interesting - I didn't know about these. Another rabbit hole awaits!