21/09/2024
Pate House held an afternoon tea party on 12th July 2024 for residents, trustees and guests to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the almshouse. Among the invited guests was the Head of Pate's Grammar School, Dr James Richardson; the Head of The Richard Pate School, Robert MacDonald; Cheltenham Mayor, Paul Baker; The Richard Pate School Bursar, Lucy Cox; and former Cheltenham MP, Alex Chalk.
Gareth Gregory, Trustee Chair and an alumnus of the School, welcomed everyone. Noel Furley, former Trustee and Chair, then outlined the life of Richard Pate and the foundation of the school and almshouse, about which he shared some interesting facts. The original almshouse (with a garden), was situated on the High Street where John Lewis now stands; there were three women and three gentlemen residents; the residents had to attend Chapel twice a day for an hour each time and that it was owing to the Regency development of the town, that the almshouse moved in 1811 to its present site.
The Trustees were very pleased that Cheltenham's new Mayor, Paul Baker, was able to attend the event. Mr Baker, a Cheltenham Grammar School alumnus, spoke about the important role that almshouses still hold in the country and then fondly of his time in the Sixth Form (Noel Furley was his Geography teacher!).
