Bridges Almshouse

From Dittopedia

Bridges Almshouses ** (B)

Opposite Thames Ditton station is a row of almshouses given by Henry Bridges of Ember Court in 1720, and endowed with £30 a year for their use by six poor men and women. Bridges inherited Imber Court in Thames Ditton from his uncle. He was also a Justice of the Peace. The plaque indicates that the cottages have been renovated twice and now offer very comfortable accommodation. There is a fine sundial on the front. The absence of bathrooms and running hot water persisted until relatively recently.

1 Almshouse at Ditton Marsh
2 Weston Almshouses
3 Bridges Almshouses
4 References

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Almshouse at Ditton Marsh

Thames Ditton had an almshouse before the Bridges almshouse. Dame Elizabeth Hill (of Imber Court) 'of this Parish (relict of Sir John Hill) gave four pounds a year to four poor labouring men or widows for ever.' With this bequest, the almshouse, consisting of four small rooms under one roof, was built in about 1630 on a piece of waste ground at Ditton Marsh. ^[1]

The £4 was an endowment towards the maintenance of the four occupants. The need for a quarter-acre garden was not overlooked. Two additional almshouses were added much later, in all probability paid for by the Right Honourable William Hume Dick of Ditton House. ^[1]

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Weston Almshouses

Poor widows appear to have been catered for exclusively at the Weston Almshouses. Almshouse Lane was retained for a very long time as the name of the approach which is now the top end of Weston Park. ^[1]

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Bridges Almshouses

In the early 18th century, Henry Bridges endowed the almshouse with an annuity of £30 from the rents and profits of the manor of Imber. The six poor old people were selected by the Minister and parish officers, subject to the approval of the heirs of the founder or the owners of the manor. These rules and conditions changed over time, though the absence of bathrooms and running hot water persisted until relatively recently. ^[1]

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