History of the Almshouses

In 1617, Sir John Kederminster, Keeper of Langley Park, founded the oldest group, south of the Church. There were 4 cottages, together with an acre of orchard and gardens for them to use. In 1649 written arrangements were made to safeguard the intended use of the property, together with a set of Rules for the Residents.  Sir John died in 1631, but he had written down plans to expand the accommodation, and his Heir, Dame Elizabeth carried out his will, along with other locals and her husband Sir John Parsons.  Various plots of land in Burnham, Dorney and Langley produced an annual income of £1.   Each resident was allowed a shilling a week. New gowns were purchased every 2 years, some was for repairs, and the Vicar got 6/8p. Visitors to the Library received a few pence. ( already a tourist attraction)

 

In 1669 Henry Seymour bought Langley Park and in 1674 became the Lord of the Manor of Langley Marish.  He and his brothers built the block North of the Church. These were for 4 protestant people, 2 men, 2 women, single and well behaved. These were financed by rental from property in High Wycombe – then known as ‘Chipping Wycombe’. Henry left £100 in his will to extend the cottages to provide 2 more residences.  Look carefully next time you go past and you can see the join

 

In 1839 William Wild a non- conformist from a farming family set up Almshouses in Horsemoor Green. These were let to Agricultural labourers. These were replaced, because of the road widening on the High Street in 1955 and 4 bungalows were built .

 

In 1972 two blocks of flats and a Warden’s flat were built behind the bungalows.  The block of 6 is named after John Trelawney. He was a wealthy businessman who had links with the Wild family and left money to provide warm clothing for 15 labouring men and 30s to the Vicar.

Chert house is the further block of 4. Named after Benjamin Chert, from Windsor, who about 1730 bought some land for the ‘weekly relief of the poorest inhabitants of Langley’.  The rent was used to supply bread to the poor.

 

Many other individuals have nourished the Almshouses in Langley. The land has gradually been sold off and the United Charities now only hold a piece of farmland near Market Lane. The money made from the sale for building in the 1950’s has been invested and has enabled us to renovate the oldest cottages. Seymour in 2012 and Kedemister in 2014.  The work on Seymour cottages won a President’s Award from the Prince of Wales, head of the Almshouses Association

 

The Charity Commission was formed in 1853 to oversee the running of registered charities.

New trustees were appointed in 1861  we have seen the original document. many of the names are familiar, having been used for road names.

The current governing instruments of the Charity stem from 1912

The Warden was first appointed in 1920 a ‘Resident Caretaker Attendant’  The Woman appointed was to live in one of Seymour cottages, until the Flat was built above the bungalows in 1972

 

Central heating installed 1971 and then converted from oil to gas in 1989. Nearly demolished after the War.

 

With thanks to the late Francis Adams  Hon Sec 1984 to 1995 and then a Trustee.