 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
08 September 2008 |
||||
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
| Bristol
Charities has been managing a number of almshouses since 1835, the
oldest of these being Barstaple almshouse, which was founded in 1395. |
|
John
Barstaple almshouse in Old Market Street was founded by former
sheriff and three times mayor of Bristol, John Barstaple. He obtained
a charter authorising the founding of an almshouse from Richard II,
which dates the foundation to 1395.
Unusually, John Barstaple must have had concerns about the future of the almshouse as he took further steps to protect its foundation. In 1399 he obtained a letter from Pope Boniface IX inhibiting, under pain of excommunication, anyone from interfering with his proposals to set up the almshouse or the execution of his will which secured its future. Today, the almshouse provides accommodation for 31 residents. Although it has occupied the same site since its foundation in the fourteenth century, it has been rebuilt a number of times and the present building dates back to mid-Victorian times. The chapel, built as part of the almshouse, was dedicated to the ‘Holy and Undivided Trinity and Saint George’ which led to the building being renamed Trinity Hospital. In the chapel, which has been rebuilt three times lies the memorial brasses bearing the effigies of John and his wife Isabella. Isabella
is said to have founded an almshouse on the north side of Lawford’s
Gate, known as Trinity Hospital North. This almshouse was eventually
sold to Knightstone Housing Association for redevelopment. |
|
Perrett House in Redcross Street originally came about after CR Perrett set up a housing charity – Perrett Homes – in 1916 with property which he owned in Stanley Hill and Totterdown. After his death the charity was managed by Bristol Charities. It was not possible to maintain Perrett’s residential properties from the rental income and the properties were sold in the 1930s and most of the tenants transferred to Trinity Almshouse. A former almshouse in Cumberland Road, which was bought and presented to the trustees, was used to house tenants from Perrett Homes and was renamed Perrett's Almshouse. It provided accommodation for five residents. Due to the cost of maintenance, the almshouse was closed and demolished in 1969. The
proceeds of the sale of Stanley Hill and Cumberland Road were incorporated
into Orchard Homes and, with Housing Corporation funding, were used
to build the sheltered housing scheme in Redcross Street, which
is called Perrett House, and provides 30 self contained flats. There
are also 8 flats in a scheme called Redcross Mews, situated to the
rear of Perrett House. |
|
Lady Haberfield’s almshouse is situated on Joy Hill off Hotwell Road overlooking the Cumberland Basin. It was built in 1891 with funds from Dame Sarah Haberfield’s will, in memory of her husband Sir John Kerle Haberfield. Sir John came to Bristol aged 17 to begin his training as a solicitor. He eventually set up his own successful legal practice and was offered the position of chief magistrate. He accepted the position but declined the salary, which endeared him to the people of Bristol. From 1837 onwards he was appointed alderman, town councillor, one of the original trustees of Bristol Charities, seven time governor of the Corporation of the Poor, six times mayor and chair of Bristol Waterworks Company. During his final mayoralty, in March 1851, he was knighted. Following his death in 1857, a bust of Sir John was commissioned and can still be seen in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel. In 1872, Dame Sarah bought land and properties to set up a trust that would fund the building and maintenance of almshouses for 24 people ‘of either sex…poor and impotent, of good character, be members of and as far as they were able, attendants at the services of the Church of England’. The
almshouses were extensively renovated in 1977, with the help of
a generous bequest by GD Grover. The current accommodation consists
of 20 units which house 20 residents and a warden. |
|
Bristol
and Anchor Almshouse Charity,
in Stretford Road, Whitehall is a good illustration of the way in
which the trustees of almshouses have met the needs of modern day
living. The Bristol and Anchor Almshouse Charity was formed in 1999,
following the merger of a number of almshouse charities: The
current site comprises 22 almshouse units and the Beehive
Day Services Centre. |
|
Bristol (St John and St Ambrose) Almshouse Charity |
 |
| Work starts on the new John Foster’s Almshouse in Henbury, north Bristol Modern, state-of-the-art almshouse provision continues the work of this fifteenth century almshouse charity for the people of Bristol. more... |
|
| School’s continued support for the Henbury Centre Pupils from Clifton College Preparatory School handed over a cheque for £570 to David Jones, Chief Executive, Bristol Charities at an official presentation ceremony this week. more... |
|
 |