NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!
The Almshouse Association, who we are proud to be members of, are celebrating 75 years providing guidance, support and representation to over 1600 incredible almshouse charities – like ours! HRH The Prince of Wales and Royal Patron to The Almshouse Association sends a message to the Association, and all the members, discussing the importance of almshouses.
Each year, Croydon Almshouse Charities holds a service at the Croydon Minster to remember our founder Elias Davy (now known as Elis David). The Mynde Day is held on the nearest Friday to the 4th December in the Nicholas Chapel. Due to COVID-19, we were unsure if we would be able to hold the service and so we put together a short film (on the left) so that our residents could still take part in the remembrance. However, the lifting of restrictions on the 2nd December meant that we could hold a live service, albeit with some changes to ensure everyone was safe. We filmed that too (on the right). Thanks to Kate York of Kate York Photography & Film, who produced the films for us at short notice and helped us include as many as possible in our event.
(Please click on the photos below to enlarge)
We were delighted to welcome The Mayor, Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor and other local guests, as well as residents, staff and directors, to a special Founder's Day celebration as part of our 570th anniversary year. We held a formal opening of our new History and Archive Room, which holds the charity's archives and is also used to present our history to members of the charity, their family and friends, and other visitors.
Following an earlier visit in March 1975 when she opened the new Elis David Almshouses building, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra returned to visit us in 2010 to celebrate a major refurbishment. She spoke to every resident, which was much appreciated, and her visit was enjoyed by all.
This was a very special event for us, and the culmination of much planning. We welcomed Simon Wathen, the Master of the Mercers’ Company at the time, and he unveiled the plaque commemorating the founding of the almshouses. He then joined us for a celebratory meal which was enjoyed by all.
