19 January 2011

A is for Almshouses

 
In Winchester I was surprised to find that a number of beautiful buildings I'd seen are infact Almshouses, that is houses for the 'poor or needy'. These buildings here in the photo were built in 1856 and contain 24 apartments which are available to needy, local persons of 'good character' over retirement age at a nominal rent. They are owned and run by St John's Winchester Charity which was founded as long ago as 931 by St Brinstan, Bishop of Winchester, which makes it one of the oldest charitable foundations in the country. Quite a pretty place to spend your last years.

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14 comments:

  1. VioletSkyJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    One of good character and need would be very fortunate to spend ones' last years in a place of such esteemed character.

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    It is quite nice. People would have to treat the property with a lot of respect for it to look this nice after so many years of use.

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  3. Sylvia KJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    That's really great! Wish there were more of them! They're certainly needed everywhere these days!A wonderful post for the A Day! Hope you're enjoying your week!

    Sylvia
    ABC Team

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    what beautiful a sight. may time and life continue to treat the building and those inside kind.

    please have a good wednesday.

    daily athens

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  5. HalcyonJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    This does look like a pretty place to spend the golden years!

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  6. Roger Owen GreenJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    look nicer than I would have thought, at least externally

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  7. RandyJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Wow that really is beautiful.

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  8. HalieJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    Beautiful buildings.

    Nathalie
    ABC Wednesday Team

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  9. GunnJanuary 19, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    What a wonderful place in this image!
    Great architecture and beautiful light!

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  10. DawnTreaderJanuary 19, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Almshouses seems an oldfashioned name to be still in use? But they do look charming!

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  11. AmandaJanuary 19, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Thanks all for dropping by. Yes "Almshouses" is quite an old fashioned term, and they're really just glorified apartments for old people! But the buildings themselves are still called St John's Almshouses.

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  12. London CallerJanuary 19, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    I love almshouses - they have interesting facades.
    Bruges has some very wonderful almshouses too!

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  13. JoyJanuary 19, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    I saw some in Worcester very similar in style but without those amazing chimneys.

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  14. JudyJanuary 20, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Fantastic! Lovely place to live.

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