A historic almshouse built in Amport in 1840 will be refurbished to modernise and update the cottages.

The Sheppard’s Almhouse Trust has announced the upcoming refurbishment of Sheppard's Almhouses, a historic landmark built by Sophia Sheppard, wife of Reverend Thomas Sheppard.

A £10,000 endowment (worth £1,276.699 today) was gifted by Mrs Sheppard to build the almshouses and the school in Amport.

Originally established to provide housing for "six poor widows of the parish," the almshouse cottages have since evolved to accommodate both men and women in need.

The refurbishment programme, expected to start on April 15, aims to modernise and update the one-bedroom cottages, ensuring they meet the contemporary needs of their residents.

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The comprehensive work, estimated to span approximately 12 weeks, will be overseen by surveyor, Charles Liddell and David Sloan of Harpoint Builders.

Chris Harris, chair of the Sheppard Trust, said: "The Almshouses are an important and historical part of our community. We are delighted to have secured funding through the Almshouse Association, in addition to our reserves, enabling us to refurbish four cottages. However, we will still need to raise funds from other sources to complete the entire refurbishment."

Mr Harris further expressed gratitude for any contributions made towards this worthy cause, as they will aid in preserving this vital piece of local heritage.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact: Chris Harris, Chair Sheppard Trust
c/o Broadwater, Amport, SP11 8AY; Phone: 01264772240; Email:sheppardstrust@gmail.com