4


When is a door not a door? Answer: when it’s ajar.


I never thought much of that riddle as a child – and it hasn’t improved much with the years! So try this one instead: When is a hospital not a hospital? Answer: when it’s Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon. Puzzled? Let me explain!


Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon is a local charity founded over 450 years ago by King Edward VI. An Abingdon man named John Mason was a member of Edward’s privy council and a valued friend and mentor to the boy king, whom he petitioned on be- half of his home town. Edward gra- ciously agreed to found a new charity called The Hos- pital of Christ of Abendon , and as well as a charter, gave it generous endowments of land and property, so returning much of what had been con- fiscated by his father Henry VIII at the dissolution of Abing- don Abbey. The new charity was charged, among other things, with assuming re- sponsibility for the existing almshouses at Long Alley, sup- porting the poor and needy of the town and assisting with education.


September 2017


What do you know about Christ’s Hospital? Glynne Butt


Twity’s Almshouses by St Helen’s Church. photo: Colin Smith


relatively limited means, who want to enjoy the com- panionship and support of living in a town-centre com- munity while still retaining their independence. Residents must be over 55 years of age and have lived in Abingdon for at least 2 years, although this require- ment varies slightly with the different groups of alms- houses. They pay a weekly maintenance contribution which is covered for many by statutory housing benefit and quite a few of to- day’s residents still go out to work. They bring a wide variety of experi- ences and back- grounds to the alms- house community and many suppor- tive friendships are formed between neighbours. Some meet informally to play card games or


borrow books from the shelves in the Warden’s office while others are regular attenders at the weekly coffee mornings in the Hospital hall. The Warden calls on those residents who like her to visit and keeps a general eye on everyone’s wel- fare without being intrusive. Do you know someone for whom all this sounds ideal? Maybe you might want to consider it for yourself?


This is essentially what Christ’s Hospital still does today. Over past cen- turies, it has taken over the other groups of almshouses around St. Helen’s churchyard and those in Ock Street and the Vineyard. It now provides around thirty com- fortable, well-equipped homes for elderly people of


Gillian, the Clerk, and Tom, the Park Keeper, enjoy a moment of relaxation at Tomkins almshouses.


If you would like to know more - com- pletely without obli- gation - you can contact the Charity’s


clerk on 01235 526487 or via e-mail clerk@christshospital.org Or just call on her at the offices at 1, Old Station Yard. And if there happens to be a vacant almshouse, it might even be possible to arrange a look-round.


(Continued on page 5)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8