I'm A Celebrity Get Me In Here

Ruth's got an interesting question, which I guess we've all been tempted to ask at some point. She writes:

"My mother in law has been trying to find out how people get to live in Broadbridge Close Alms Houses, in Blackheath Standard opp. Gambardella's. Or if indeed they are Alms Houses. Her mother used to work for Morden College many moons ago and she was wondering if she would be eligible for one of the places but can't find out anything about them."

The Phantom replies:

We have a wealth of almshouses in Greenwich and Blackheath, many of them absolutely gorgeous, some hundreds of years old, pretty much all of them ever so slightly secretive. Trinity Hospital and Morden College especially, seem to be from another era, behind closed doors and high walls.

But I have heard that with some at least, it isn't as hard to get in as I had always assumed. I can't remember who told me now, but the Hatcliffe Almshouses in Tuskar St, or so I understand, are relatively easy. And Queen Elizabeths Almshouses, run by the Drapers Company will consider you if you merely live in the borough or Lewisham and need a spot of help. Find them here. But Morden College? I did a little digging...

According to one of the only documents I can find on the web (loads about the history and architecture, very little about practicalities), on the Archives in London and M25 area site, the flats at Broadbridge Close are indeed one of several satellite buildings belonging to Morden College. There are also flats at Kidbrooke Grove, St Germans Place, Vanbrugh Park and Ralph Perring Court.

The original people for whom the almshouses were built were 'poor Merchants...and such as have lost their Estates by accidents, dangers and perils of the seas or by any other accidents ways or means in their honest endeavours to get their living by means of Merchandizing,' but the document goes on to say

" After World War One, a shortage of 'decayed merchants' led to further changes to membership conditions and the College now provides accommodation for women (as non resident out pensioners since 1908, and residents since 1966) and married couples (since 1951). Since 1700 more than 4,648 people have been College beneficiaries. Provision is also made for a group known as outpensioners, who do not require accommodation, but are in financial need."

I had some difficulty tracking down Morden College; not, I suspect, because it's actively trying to be secretive, just that it's not terribly web-savvy.

I eventually found its entry in the register of the Charity Commission. There is a postal address, telephone number and an email. I tried the old wheeze of using this to find the website - it's merely a reserved domain.

My suggestion would be to give them a call - the address is:

MORDEN COLLEGE
19 ST. GERMANS PLACE
LONDON
SE3 0PW

Telephone 0208 858 3365

or drop them an email - amanda@mordencollege.org

Let me know how you get on...

http://www.housingcare.org/ is another site you can try - the link's currently broken though, as I discovered when I tried to find Trinity Hospital.

Almshouses (3) Queen Elizabeth's College

Greenwich has had its full share of charidee supporters over the centuries - and judging from the giant wooden plaques all over her churches - especially St Alfege's - and unlike Dave Nice and Mike Smash, they most certainly did like to talk about it.

But in the case of some of our almshouses - still going strong today - it's sort of hard to moan. Some are grander than others - certainly the sweet little Hatcliffe almshouses in Tuskar St are far more modest than, say the elegant Trinity jobbies on the Thames path next to the Power Station, but they all have a charm that makes me smile whenever I see them.

Queen Elizabeth's College is right up there on the grander end of the scale. It was set up by wealthy landowner (he owned vast swathes of the Peninsula) William Lambarde. He was also an 'antiquarian,' though I had to delve into my Hasted to find out exactly what that entailed in his case.

Lambarde was of the legal profession; admitted to Linclon's Inn in 1556, became a bench- man, Justice of the Peace for Kent, then Master in Chancery. He finally rose to the giddy ranks of Keeper of the Records at the Tower of London.

He wrote (among several frightening-looking tomes, such as a translation of Saxon Laws, several record-books and the thrillingly-titled The Duties of Constables, Borsholders, Tithing-Men And Other Such Low Ministers of the Peace) Kent's first-ever tourist guide, The Perambulation of Kent, published in 1576.

He opened his Collegium Pauperum Reginae Elizabeth the same year (he needed permission from the queen, which is presumably why he named it after her), in Greenwich High Road, now opposite the station. Lambarde endowed the project to the tune of £104 annually to support 20 local poor, elderly people. They came from around and about, but he insisted that one had to come from Woolwich, one from Lee and three from Lewisham. In Victorian times, Hasted tells us that most generously they decided to allow their wives to join them, so Lewisham then sent six people.

He also tells us that the running of the place was entrusted to the Drapers Company, who still do so today. The Drapers are one of the most powerful liveries in the City - they're Number 3 in the Top Twelve; so the almshouses are still very much active.

Of course the cottages didn't look like they do now (Benedict, who supplied these pics, tells me that they're affectionately known as 'Hobbit Houses' by their residents.)In fact I have no idea what they looked like - there don't appear to be any pics anywhere (though I have been hearing tantalising reports of an 18th century "Panorama" of Greenwich which has just come to light - more about that will be gratefully received...)

The old buildings were pulled down in 1818 during a little spurt of general Greenwich prettification and replaced with something far more "Tudor" (in the eyes of the Regency builders, natch...)

They were extended in 1884 to double the number of occupants and Lambarde House,a frankly less-than-exciting additional block was put up next door in 1967. It provides 34 extra places - less pretty to look at from the outside, but if these are anything like most old almshouses, probably more comfy to live in than the historic buildings. Some of them even have a second bedroom.

I've never been inside, but the website tells me there are pleasant landscaped gardens. "Facilities include a Community Hall for social activities, a Chapel and a laundry. There is an active social club, organised by the residents, providing a range of activities and outings."

So how do you get in?

Again from the website:

"You can apply to live in the Almshouses if you are nearing or over retirement age and currently reside in the London Boroughs of Greenwich or Lewisham."

I should point out that you also have to prove you're financially 'deserving' - i.e. you haven't got enough cash to live elswhere, but don't fret if you have a furry friend. Unlike many retirement homes, cats and dogs are accepted - though if Fido cops-it, you can't replace him.

More almshouses another day...