To celebrate 460 years of the Charity Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon there is an exhibition at Long Alley Almshouse this weekend.
In the hall, used for Governors’ meetings, there are pictures and books and manuscripts from the archives on display. The earliest book of meeting minutes, dating from 1577, is open, with a typewritten transcription alongside. There is an album showing the pictures taken by The Times Newspaper when they did a feature on almshouses in 1939. Another photo album shows Abingdon Bridge being rebuilt in 1927.
In 1668 Samuel Pepys visited the Almshouses and donated half-a-crown into the poor box. The poor box is still there – opened at Christmas.
Last Saturday Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon held a lunch at the Guildhall for their residents, staff and suppliers as part of their 460th anniversary celebrations.
The occasion also marked the retirement of the charity’s clerk, Chris Nutman, after ten years of service. After a very convivial lunch, Chris was driven off to enjoy his retirement in unusual fashion by Tom Robinson, the park keeper of Albert Park (run by Christ’s Hospital).
My Father-in-Law was lucky enough to live in one of the Tompkins almshouses during his final years. A wonderful charity. 460 years – wow! Our thanks indeed to Christs Hospital and Chris Nutman – I wish you a long and happy retirement! 🙂
Thanks for mentioning that they were open as I found it quite fascinating, but I do not know how you managed to take photographs inside as unfortunately there were many notices saying ‘No Photography’. Well done.
I was astonished to read that Pepys paid 5/- for an evening meal with music and 13/- for one night’s B & B. A fortune in those days.
Peter Del
Unfiorrunately flash photographt isnt good for the old paintings and documents Peter, but an exception was made for backstreeter so he could share the exhibition with his readers.
Iain, I guessed that was the case, but I never use flash and my camera doesn’t even have one built-in.
The concern people have regarding the damage done by the little flashguns attached to most cameras is somewhat over rated. The amount of light reaching the documents from the large window over two days, will vastly exceed the light from the visitor’s flash guns which, although of reasonably high intensity, lasts for only 1/60 to 1/250 second. IMHO.
Peter Del
Fair point Peter – signs should probably have said no flash photography – still better safe than sorry.
I was very careful and did not use a flash