Almshouses in West Berkshire: Charity on the Doorstep
Almshouse foundations, also known as Hospitals, are an old established charitable venture.
Often originally linked to churches or monasteries but latterly established by members of the aristocracy or by the well to do middle classes – sometimes by bequests in wills.
They provided for the poor and indigent in a period when there was no formal social care. Many continue to be maintained today.
West Berkshire is particularly rich in such charitable provision, and this talk will explore the history of almshouses and look at some of the local examples and how they were founded and funded.
If you can, could you book via the booking link below. We would be very grateful if you would as this gives us an idea of the number of attendees in advance. This small change also gives non members the flexibility of using card payments if they prefer. We will always welcome all those who arrive on the day and non-members can still pay at the venue, using a cash payment.
Speaker
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Sue Ellis
Sue Ellis, is well known among local history circles in West Berkshire. Now retired from West Berkshire Libraries, she is currently Secretary of Thatcham Historical Society and of the West Berkshire Heritage Forum.