Warmington Almshouses
Our History
More than 160 years of providing homes at the heart of Warmington.
A legacy in Warmington
The three almshouses in Church Lane have been part of Warmington since the 19th century. Their history is closely connected with Lady Charlotte Proby and her sister Frances, known as Fanny.
Above the doorways of the almshouses is an inscription recording their contribution:
“Built and endowed by the Ladies Charlotte and Fanny Proby”
1860
The beginning of the Warmington almshouses.
Charlotte and Fanny Proby
Lady Charlotte Proby was born in 1788 and her sister Frances — Fanny — in 1789. Lady Charlotte became known for her charitable work and concern for the welfare of people in the local community.
Her journals described Warmington at the time as being “full of ague and fever”, illustrating some of the difficult conditions experienced by villagers during the 19th century.
Around 1860–62, funding from Lady Charlotte enabled three almshouses to be built in Church Lane to provide homes for people in need.
1862
The charitable Trust is formally established.
The original Trust
The charitable arrangements for the almshouses were formally established on 15 July 1862.
The original arrangements envisaged a maintenance fund of £3,000 and support for each of the three residents of ten shillings a week together with two tons of coal.
Lady Charlotte’s brother, the 3rd Earl of Carysfort, was appointed as a trustee. However, the intended maintenance fund was not ultimately provided through Lady Charlotte’s will.
1896
The Trust is re-established.
A new chapter
In 1896, the 4th Earl of Carysfort discovered the original Trust Deed. Funds were reinstated to the intended value and the Trust was re-formed under a new Deed in August 1896.
The new arrangements established a framework for the continuing administration of the almshouses and the appointment of their residents.
1963
Modern charity regulation.
The Charity Commission
In 1963, the Trust came under the regulation of the Charity Commission through a formal Scheme.
The Scheme was subsequently revised in 1995 as the governance and administration of the charity continued to develop.
2007–09
The almshouses enter a new era.
A major refurbishment
During 2007 and 2008 the three almshouses underwent an extensive refurbishment to ensure that the historic buildings could continue to provide suitable homes into the 21st century.
The work included new kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, improvements to the roof, electrical and heating systems, insulation and measures to address damp.
The refurbished almshouses reopened in late 2008 and by early 2009 all three homes once again had residents.
The Trust today
Much has changed since Lady Charlotte and Fanny Proby helped establish the almshouses, including the way the charity is governed and how the homes are funded and maintained.
What remains is the purpose at the heart of their original gift: providing homes within the Warmington community and caring for the almshouses so they can continue to serve future generations.