THE ALMSHOUSES - THORNTON LE DALE

          Lady Elizabeth Lumley died childless in 1657, bequeathing her estates for the creation of a school and almshouses.

          Her name lives on in the school in Pickering and in the almshouses in Thornton Dale.

          The Almshouses stand in the centre of the village, convenient for all local facilities and transport.

          Improvements, particularly in the 20th century, have made the 12 properties into cosy compact bungalows, each with its own small garden at the back. The one thing missing is parking space!

          At present there are (unusually) 2 properties to be re-occupied. The Charity Deed states that a new Almshouse occupant must be a resident of the Deanery of Pickering (Hutton Buscel to Sinnington), must be an older person, and in need of the sort of housing the Almshouses offer.

          The bungalows are for independent living but there is emergency support through the Lifeline system. Residents pay a weekly maintenance charge and their own heating costs and water rates, although where circumstances allow the state benefit system applies The Clerk (01751-474470) can provide further details of the vacancies.

 Heather Finch.