Charity at home
For some reason, Newbury seems to have a remarkable number of Almshouses. I did a Google on the subject and ended up with this list:
- St Mary's Almshouses, Newbury
- Pearces Almshouses, Newbury
- Coxedd's Almshouses, Newbury
- Child's Almshouses, Newbury
- Kimber's Almshouses, Newbury
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as King John's Almshouses, Newbury
- Raymond's Almshouses, Newbury
- Church Almshouses, Newbury
- Essex Wynter Almshouses, Newbury
- Mabel Luke Almshouses, Newbury
- Robinson's Almshouses, Newbury
So, here are some examples of this ancient tradition:
This below is St Bartholomews Hospital, in Argyle street. The other entrance now faces a car park and looks very old indeed...
Part of the Upper Raymonds almshouses
Some are not as old as they seem. I think this below is a lot newer than its Tudor hints suggest. If you want to see the original and genuine item, I comment the Hospital of St Cross at Winchester, which appears in this earlier blog.. Why not call in there and claim your ancient right to beer and bread :-)
I love almshouses Pete, and snap them wherever I see them. Their builders usually consciously tried to make a picturesque addition to the locality and by and large succeeded. I wasn't aware of the bounty of Newbury with regard to almshouses and really like your images. I'll have a look next time I'm in the area. One thing that I do find distressing is where repairs and renovations have been made that are below the standard of the original material and conception.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Tony