Newbury Almshouse Trust

04/06/2026

A massive thank you to all our volunteers on 🤩 Newbury Almshouse Trust is run by volunteers, from our board of directors to our team of proctors, all providing time, skills, commitment and enthusiasm to our residents and properties. Because of their efforts, people in Newbury have safe, decent homes within a wonderful community, something that has continued for over 800 years. Thank you so much to our volunteers!

01/06/2026

Another residents coffee morning meant lots of tea, coffee and delicious cake! Thanks to everyone who joined us, City Arts - Newbury and of course our wonderful sponsors Castle Windows Newbury Ltd

28/05/2026

The latest edition of our residents' newsletter came out this month. We met our new proctor Mary, celebrated a great refurbishment of the Lower Raymond's back courtyard and found out more about the history of the almshouses

12/05/2026

Join our friends City Arts - Newbury for a fundraising quiz and raffle at The Bowlers Arms in Newbury, including food (Chilli Con Carne or Chicken and Chips)! Funds raised will support their charitable work, including creative wellbeing sessions for children, young people, and older adults experiencing isolation, helping us keep the arts accessible to all.

We know that their sessions are of a great benefit to many in our area, so please support them and enjoy a fun night out at the same time!

07/05/2026

Next in the Meet our Proctors series is our newest proctor, Mary Sharkey! Read our blog to find out more about why Mary is such a great addition to the Newbury Almshouse Trust volunteer team

Mary Sharkey has recently joined us as proctor of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Almshouses. Steve, the previous proctor, has moved to an IT and Cybersecurity role within the Trust, which has allowed a good handover with Mary over the last few months.Mary found out about Newbury Almshouse Trust from th...

05/05/2026

Another residents’ coffee morning at City Arts - Newbury today! We celebrated Mary’s win at a crib competition (at 98 years old!), sang happy birthday to David and enthused about the recent improvements to Lower Raymond’s. Thank you to Hobbs Property Services Limited for sponsoring this coffee morning

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25/04/2026

As May Day approaches, have you heard of Sooty Bob Day, which fell on the 1st May each year? An old Newbury custom that has fallen into disuse, but fondly remembered by one of our oldest residents at one of our coffee mornings recently.

We've found out all we can about Sooty Bob Day on our blog, but we'd love to hear any other memories - did you talk part, dance around the maypole, and collect pennies?

Our image is taken from the Newbury Weekly News, 7 May 1896

15/04/2026

The second part of our history looks at the aftermath of the charities scandal in the mid 1800s, as well as the path of modernisation for the Trust. If you have any memories or photos of our almshouses, we'd love to see them!

The second part of our history looks at the aftermath of the scandal in the mid 1800s, as well as the path of modernisation for the Trust. Very soon after the trustees started to look after the charities previously held by the Corporation of Newbury, it was clear there were financial problems. In 18...

07/04/2026

Another fantastic coffee morning for our residents at City Arts - Newbury today! Thanks as always to our sponsors Castle Windows Newbury Ltd. Our photo is one of our oldest residents, Lorna, who came along with her daughter today, as did many others for a cuppa, a cake and a catch up!

25/03/2026

Newbury Almshouse Trust has a long history of helping the people of Newbury through the many charities we represent. Find out more about our history (part one!) in our new blog

Newbury Almshouse Trust, or Newbury Municipal Consolidated Charities, has a long history of helping the people of Newbury through the many charities we represent. The oldest charity is St Bartholomew’s Hospital, which was founded in 1215 when King John granted Newbury a charter for a fair to be he...