Wells Tuesday WI June 2022 meeting report

President Anne and Secretary Val went to the National AGM in Liverpool. The resolution to campaign for greater recognition and treatment for women and girls with Autism and ADHD was adopted with almost unanimous support. They enjoyed talks from parliament's Black Rod Sarah Clarke; the Presidents of the Scottish and Northern Irish WI Federations; and an expert on modern slavery (the WI funded research in this area as a result of the 2020 resolution).

This month our meeting consisted of a visit to Wells Almshouses. Forty-seven members were greeted by the CEO Martin before being taken on a tour by Trustee Charles and resident James. We started with an introduction in the Guild room. We learned that the 5 almshouse buildings provide 33 units of accommodation for single older people in housing need. There is a mix of one-bedroom flats and cottages, on two sites on either side of Priest Row. The earliest was founded in the 15th century through a legacy provided from the estate of the former Bishop of Bath and Wells and Treasurer to King Henry IV, Nicholas Bubwith. Bubwith's Almshouse is located next to St Cuthbert's Churchyard. Masons' marks reveal how the wooden beams for the frame were constructed and numbered off site, to aid assembly and construction. In the early 17th century an alderman of the city, Henry Llewellyn, left a legacy to build a further series of almshouses, on a separate site in Priest Row, to the north of St Cuthbert's Church. More accommodation was provided through legacies from Bishop Still and Bishop Willes and in 1637 the Bubwith site was expanded again through a legacy from Walter Brick, a burgess of the city. Although rebuilt many times in their history, and now amalgamated into a single Trust, they are still known as Bubwith's, Still's, Brick's, Willes' and Llewellyn's. At times in its past the building has housed Wells Town Council, and the Blue School. We were guided around the interesting buildings, including a Victorian morgue that is being converted to living accommodation, and the beautiful gardens tended by residents and Heads Up volunteers. We ended in the chapel where James answered all our questions. Weddings don't take place there, probably because of the proximity of St Cuthbert's. The almshouses were built at what was considered the poor end of town. The average age of residents is around 73, and they are no longer have to attend church daily. We heard about future plans and hopes that national lottery heritage funding will enable the Chapel to be restored and made suitable for community events. Anyone over 50 can apply to live at the almshouses, providing they have a Wells connection no other home. There are 7 people on the waiting list. The Trustees encourage and welcome interest and applications, and urge people to attend the Open Day on Saturday 18 June between 11 and 4 pm, where lunches and teas will be served. 

In other news this month the photographers and crafters are meeting, and some members will be going on a tour of the Glastonbury Festival site before the music and fun starts. Although the official County Quiz has been cancelled, our keen quizzers are lining up to compete in an unofficial alternative.

We meet on the first Tuesday evening of each month at Wells and Mendip Museum. Our next meeting will be on 5 July when we look forward to being serenaded by Shepton Mallet Ukelele band in the garden.

More information can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Wellssomersetwi

Veronica Howe