Peter Symonds was a wealthy merchant who founded a number of almshouses for the poor and is well remembered in Winchester. In addition to having a street named after him (Symonds Street) there is also a Peter Symonds College, an excellent 6th form college in Winchester and every year, on St Peter's Day, 29th June, an Evensong is held in Winchester Cathedral in his honour.
These 'almshouses' are now administered by the St Johns Winchester Charity who have a number of other buildings throughout Winchester that have featured on the blog. This one still provides five rooms for single people, widows and widowers over 50 and there are currently four women and one man in residence here.
Peter's very interesting history: http://oxforddnb.com/view/article/95066
ReplyDeleteNice that the city had such an excellent benefactor.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Larry for the interesting link.
ReplyDeleteIf only I was rich, I'd have homes and streets named for me too!
ReplyDeleteAt least I found one bar bearing my name. ;-)
http://halcyontravels.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-bar.html
Love your bar Halcyon!
ReplyDeleteTheres a lot to be said for founding Almshouses, you can have a nice plaque in your memory and people will take photos and spread the word of your generosity. Leeds photography
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