For the first time in 389 years, the Bishop of Bath and Wells visited the almshouses on 27th January 2016. Bishop Peter Hancock arrived at the church with the new rector Jonathan Hunter Dunn and was shown around the almshouses by trustees Albert Owen and Ernie Woodford before heading to Peter Street Rooms in the rain.
Guest List
Jonathan Hunter Dunn, Rector St Peter & St Paul Church.
Cllr Jeanette & Mr Terry Marsh, Chair, Mendip District Council.
Cllr Martin Lovell, Chair, Shepton Mallet Town Council.
Lesley Hide, Clarks.
Alison Crane, Quaker Housing Trust.
Philip Rice, President, Rotary Club.
Mr Michael Julian, Donor/Supporter.
Mrs Christina & Simon Kennedy, Donors/Supporters.
Gill Davies, President, Inner Wheel.
Maj. Gen. Ray Pett, Donor/Supporter.
Trustees and Residents.
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More photos are available on our new page on facebook at the following link: www.facebook.com/alms1627
The following letter was received from Bishop Peter after the event:
Dear Jeff, Thank you for your welcome to the Almshouses on Wednesday. I had seen them on previous visits but hadn’t realised what a gem they are hidden away. I really enjoyed meeting you, other Trustees and several of the residents. You are really to be congratulated for all that you have achieved in recent years in renovating and improving them. Speaking to Albert and the others it is clear that much of the work has been done by Trustees and volunteers. Thank you for the generous gift of the book (Notes on the Charities of Shepton Mallet). I have skim read it already but look forward to settling down to read it properly soon.
Thereafter it will reside in the library of the Bishops of Bath and Wells, so it will be retained as a future resource and reference book down the generations. Thank you for your welcome over tea. Please thank those who provided it for you. So thank you once again- it is good to see the Shepton Mallet United Charities are in good heart and in good hands.