Refurbishment of Whaplode almshouses delights residents

The occupants of two almshouses in Whaplode are now enjoying modernised homes thanks to a major refurbishment programme.

The Tashes Almshouses Charity consists of a pair of small bungalows in Churchgate.
Residents Muriel Smith and Sue Carter, who spent six weeks in temporary accommodation, are delighted with the work which included bathrooms converted to wet rooms, all steps eliminated, laying of new footpaths, full gas central heating, enlarged kitchen with modern units, and UVPC doors and windows.

Moulton Seas End firm D Brown Building Contractors Ltd won the tender process for the work.
Managing director Des Ford said: “It was good to work with a local charity, and thanks to our specialist supply chain we managed to provide some of the works free of charge thus ensuring the project finished both on time and within the very tight budgetary restraints.
“We hope that both the residents enjoy the experience of living in their fully modernised homes.”

The Whaplode Parochial Charities (which incorporates The Tashes charity) is a registered charity and is managed by a committee of three trustees.
One of the first tasks for recently appointed clerk Keith Savage was to appoint two new trustees to join chairman David Dougill. The Rev Julie Timmings and Bob Merchant came on board.

Bob drew up plans to incorporate the necessary repairs and Stephen Knipe – clerk to the Spalding Husbands Charity and an executive of the National Association of Almshouses – helped with an application to the association for grants and loans.

The current bungalows were built around 1950 and were intended for the widows of agricultural workers.
There was originally a row of six homes, built in 1624 with money left by William Tash for poor women of the parish.
Over the centuries, they were repaired and eventually demolished.