Ten new Spalding almshouses are nearing completion – and applications to become residents are being invited.
The one-bedroom properties in Larkspur Way belong to the charity Spalding Town Husbands, whose housing stock has now grown to 71, three of which are in Pinchbeck.
The criteria for applicants is that they must be poor and living in South Holland.
Whilst the charity does not offer a definition of “poor”, it is urging people to dismiss any thoughts of embarrassment and apply to see if their particular circumstances might be acceptable.
“Nobody should be hesitant in coming forward,” said clerk Richard Knipe, who represents Lincolnshire on the executive of The National Almshouse Association. “Poverty doesn’t necessarily mean in terms of cash; it can mean in terms of housing.”
Spalding Town Husbands maintains its properties to a high standard and consequently has lots of satisfied residents and several more people wanting to become residents. However, the charity is keen to spread the word of the latest Broadgate Homes development and attract more applications.
Mr Knipe added: “The homes are designed to meet the standards that should be provided for the elderly in this day and age.”
The age range of occupants across the 12 current sites is 50s through to 90s.
Residents pay a weekly maintenance contribution (“rent”) and can benefit from Lifeline alarm support.
There is a thriving social side too, with recent outings to Lincoln and Skegness.
Chairman Petronella Keeling said: “We have a really interesting group of confident people who enjoy living in our homes.”
Spalding Town Husbands consists of two main charities – Spalding Almshouses Charity and Spalding Relief In Need Charity – and has been in existence for more than 400 years. It raises money through an endowed fund investing in a variety of areas.
Mrs Keeling said: “It’s an amazing charity to have survived all this length of time doing what it’s doing.”
To find out more or to express an interest in becoming a resident, call Tracy Taylor on 01775 765361 or email [email protected]
Successful applicants will be invited for an informal chat and be shown an almshouse.
A potted history of Spalding Town Husbands
1591 – John Gamlyn left land in Church Street, Spalding, to establish an almshouse. The first almsperson was in residence within 12 months.
1623 – The trustees built six almshouses in Church Street which, with their successive replacements (begun in 1751), were known as the Gamlyn Almshouses.
1630 – William Willsby established an almshouse charity for two old men beside the church porch in Church Street.
1665 – first description of the trustees acting as “town husbands”. No other almshouse charity is administered by town husbands – a term describing their ability to thriftily manage the financial affairs.
1717 – further almshouses built in Double Street, initially for eight people.
1806 – Willsby almshouses in the churchyard rebuilt for four almspeople.
1812 – The Sparkes Almshouses in Double Street were rebuilt for six almspeople and remained in use until 1967.
1844 – Gamlyn Almshouses rebuilt as a square in Church Street with 17 homes for 34 almspeople (males to the west, females to the east and couples in the centre).
1974 – Gamlyn Almshouses no longer occupied by almspeople after being sold to Spalding Urban District Council in 1974.
