Mercury Memories - March 7th 2014 "50 years ago"
Originally published in 1964
Next month will see the completion of a £20,000 modernisation scheme and a further break with traditions spanning almost five centuries at Browne’s Hospital, Stamford’s oasis of tranquil and rest for old folk. Gone will be the recently modified uniforms, small allowances, free rent, compulsory chapel services and other time-honoured features. They will be replaced by modern standards of comfort and an increased feeling of personal freedom and independence.
The main object of the scheme, which has taken a year to complete, is to bring the almshouses up to the standard of local authorities’ old people’s dwellings.
The number of homes is also being increased by two by reducing the size of the Warden’s house, bringing the total to six double and five single.
Each will have its own sitting room, bedroom, kitchen (with cooker and water heater), pantry and bathroom, and a push button in each room will be connected to a light panel and bell in the homes of both the nurse and caretaker. Previously residents used a communal bath-house, which had hot water once a week. Each flat is connected to a master television aerial.
Although the rooms will be centrally heated, with the plant installed under the Warden’s house, panel electric fireplaces have been fitted in the sitting rooms, as the governors feel that old people like to sit round a fire.
The introduction of double rooms means that for the first time elderly couples will be able to live at Browne’s Hospital, which was built by William Browne, a rich wool merchant, in 1485. Although a few widows have taken up residence in the past, the hospital has been mainly a male domain.
“We have had the admission of couples in mind for some time,” said Mr. R. C. Lowe, who is clerk to the governors. “The new arrangement will mean that 17 old people will have somewhere to live.”
No doubt some of the present residents and many townspeople and tourists will mourn the passing of what remained of the old hospital uniform.
Back to Browne's Hospital page
Next month will see the completion of a £20,000 modernisation scheme and a further break with traditions spanning almost five centuries at Browne’s Hospital, Stamford’s oasis of tranquil and rest for old folk. Gone will be the recently modified uniforms, small allowances, free rent, compulsory chapel services and other time-honoured features. They will be replaced by modern standards of comfort and an increased feeling of personal freedom and independence.
The main object of the scheme, which has taken a year to complete, is to bring the almshouses up to the standard of local authorities’ old people’s dwellings.
The number of homes is also being increased by two by reducing the size of the Warden’s house, bringing the total to six double and five single.
Each will have its own sitting room, bedroom, kitchen (with cooker and water heater), pantry and bathroom, and a push button in each room will be connected to a light panel and bell in the homes of both the nurse and caretaker. Previously residents used a communal bath-house, which had hot water once a week. Each flat is connected to a master television aerial.
Although the rooms will be centrally heated, with the plant installed under the Warden’s house, panel electric fireplaces have been fitted in the sitting rooms, as the governors feel that old people like to sit round a fire.
The introduction of double rooms means that for the first time elderly couples will be able to live at Browne’s Hospital, which was built by William Browne, a rich wool merchant, in 1485. Although a few widows have taken up residence in the past, the hospital has been mainly a male domain.
“We have had the admission of couples in mind for some time,” said Mr. R. C. Lowe, who is clerk to the governors. “The new arrangement will mean that 17 old people will have somewhere to live.”
No doubt some of the present residents and many townspeople and tourists will mourn the passing of what remained of the old hospital uniform.
Back to Browne's Hospital page
