The Cranham Alms Houses

 Ian, Nicky and Harold are finally due to move back home this weekend (Hurrah!) so it seems like a good time to write a little bit about the almshouses...

The alms houses are owned by the George Jones Charity. George Jones was a benefactor of the poor who lived at Whitley Court. Prior to his death in 1861, he bequeathed two cottages in Cranham, under Trust, each for the benefit of a poor widow and her family of the Parish of Cranham. In the absence of such a person, the benefit was to be extended to poor widowers, spinsters and bachelors. No rent was to be charged.

In 1900, at the invitation of the then trustees, the Board of the Charity Commissions of England and Wales were asked to prepare a 'Scheme' for the guidance of the Trustees and their management and administration of the cottages, now referred to as 'The Almshouses'.

The 'Scheme,' amended from time to time, continues to be the terms of reference for today's Trustees.

The adjective 'poor' is now deemed to cover persons of good character who are in a condition of need, hardship or distress.

Apparently there is a rather old and amusing list of rules for the inhabitants to abide by...if anyone knows where I can find a copy, please let me know (kas_stageman@hotmail.com) and I'll pop it upon the website.

Thanks to David Pritchard for providing the information on the almshouses. 

The Almshouses as maintenance work began (November 2002)

...and as they are now...