Alms Houses in Wells - Priest Row - Wells, Somerset
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SMacB
N 51° 12.516 W 002° 38.998
30U E 524451 N 5673080
A plaque outside Llewellyn's Alms Houses, Priest Row, Wells.
Waymark Code: WM190JZ
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/03/2023
Views: 0
A plaque outside Llewellyn's Alms Houses, Priest Row, Wells. The plaque relates the history of Alms Houses in Wells.
From the plaque -
"Before the introduction of the welfare state these
almshouses were provided by private generosity, but are
now administered by a charitable trust, City of Wells
Almshouses. They were important in caring for elderly
citizens, who had to be upright characters living in the city
and regularly attending St Cuthbert's Church. Now they are
divided into cottages and flats, available to residents of Wells
and the surrounding villages. Harpers is in private ownership.
A Llewellyn's and Charles' Almshouses
Established in 1636, these buildings date from 1887, with an
older unit at the far end of the left-hand range. The style
and layout, with its regularity and prominent chimneys, is
reminiscent of traditional almshouse design, and creates a
dignified urban space.
B Wells Old Almshouses
In the churchyard is the principal Wells group of buildings,
originally for 'the indigent poor'. Bubwith's, the oldest
almshouse endowment in Somerset, was founded in 1436 by
the bishop of that name, and includes a chapel and Guildhall,
still in use. Bubwith's faces Chamberlain Street, with a
projecting porch spanning a small waterway. Towards the
church is the delightful small-scale range of Still's (1615),
with Willes' (1777) and Bricke's (1637) behind.
C Harper's Almshouses
In Chamberlain Street, dated 1726, and now in private
ownership, the two-storeyed painted front retains two of
the original stone-mullioned windows. A small tablet set into
the front wall records the foundation for "... 5 poor old
decayed Wooll-combers of this parish ..." - a proviso which
no longer applies."
Type of Historic Marker: Plaque
Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Wells Civic Society
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Age/Event Date: Not listed
Related Website: Not listed
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