The Horton Almshouses

We currently have 2 allotment plots, that are not in use by our residents.

We are currently considering what to do with these plots - options are renting out the entire plots (or half plots) or putting in a number raised beds and renting them out by the bed, to any interested villagers who fancy a bit of veg growing but feel the work involved in a normal allotment plot would just be too much, or converting back to garden.

If we opt for the raised beds, these would be made available next year some time.

There is water on site but no power.

If anyone would be interested please drop us a message, or an email to [email protected]

ALMSHOUSE VACANCY 6 June 2024

The Trustees of the Horton Almshouses invite applications for a newly vacant unit in the Horton Almshouses

Applications are open until 30th June 2024 and the successful candidate needs to be able to occupy the unit by 1st August 2024

The Horton Almshouses are located on the Main Road, Middleton Cheney and offer affordable housing units for local people in need. The self contained accommodation provides a bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom accessed from a hallway. There is a maintained communal garden to the rear as well as allotments for those residents who enjoy gardening . The units are small and considered single occupancy only. The Trustees would consider a couple only in exceptional circumstances

Residents are appointed by the Trustees as beneficiaries of the Charity and pay a weekly maintenance contribution plus a weekly service charge towards the basic cost of heating and hot water, water rates and TV license. Residents are responsible for all other utility costs (electricity, telephone, broadband, council tax).

To apply for an almshouse you will be:

- Aged 60+
- In financial hardship
* Working no more than 16 hours per week at minimum wage or receiving universal credit
* In receipt of the state pension only if no longer working
* Total savings of less than £15,000 (including equity in current home)
* Eligible for housing benefit
- In need of housing
- Resident of Middleton Cheney for 2+ years, or with a strong family connection to the village (next of kin)
- Able to live independently as there is no onsite warden
- Wanting and able to live as part of a community within the village
- Able to move into the accommodation within 1 months of the offer

(Where no applicants meet all of the eligibility criteria the Trustees reserve the right to offer accommodation to the applicant who meets most of the published criteria )

For an application form, or if you wish to view the available property please contact

Susannah Smith
Clerk to the Trustees
1 Glovers Lane
OX17 2NU
Tel: 07879 895927
Email: [email protected]

Good morning on this glorious spring day !

We have started to get a few calls over the last week about one of our almshouses being available

We have indeed had a resident leave us at the end of April so one unit is currently empty.

However, as is standard in these situations, the vacating of a property presents us with the opportunity to do any essential repair and upgrade works, so at this time the property is empty, but not available.

We expect the property to become available towards the autumn, at which point applications will be asked for.

The charity exists to provide housing to those who need it most, and as such applicants will need to meet our criteria which as as follows:

- over the age of 60
- income at minimum wage or below, or in receipt of benefits/state pension
- would qualify for housing benefit (whether claiming or not)
- no substantial savings or assets
- connection to the village
- able to live independently
- ability / desire to live as part of the almhouse community

Should there be more than one applicant the trustees will offer the almshouse to the person with the greatest need.

If you wish to be put on the waiting list to be informed when applications will be invited, please do pop us an email at [email protected] and we will send out an application form when the property becomes available

Do any plumbers follow our page ?

We have water coming through the ceiling at the almshouses and need someone asap

Please call on 07879 895927 if you can help - sadly all the plumbing companies are closed for the weekend

Today marks the end of 'Trustees Week' in which charitable organisations take the time to thank their loyal trustees who, so generously, give their time to support their cause.

We are so lucky to have (and have had over the years) an incredible group of trustees) with a variety of skill sets, who all add so much to the charity in their own individual way

They guide the vision for the Charity, ensure the protection for the future of our beautiful building, and ensure our residents have a safe, clean, comfortable, affordable place to live

Thank you so much to our trustees (Paul, , Sue ,, Edward, ) for everything you do for the Horton Almshouses, and for all Trustees of the other Charities working to make Middleton a wonderful place to live. We are grateful, not just this week, but every week!❤️

The Horton Almshouses (registered charity 242839 ) is looking for additional Trustees

For those who don’t know the Horton Almshouses are located on the Main Road opposite Dands Drive and offer 6 affordable long tenancy housing units for local people in need.

The Trustee role involves a maximum of 4 meetings a year and the need to answer queries and email between the committee members. It’s fairly low impact time wise and is obviously a voluntary role.

The role of the committee is predominantly ensuring the safety and integrity of the buildings, Charity governance and the financial management of the complex. The pastoral, accounting and day to day management of the building is undertaken by an existing Clerk

Essential attributes:
Access to a smart phone and / or computer to enable online approval of bank payments
Access to email
As we are a Registered Charity you must not be subject to any disqualification that prevents you from acting as a Company Director / Trustee

Desirable but not essential attributes
A knowledge of the building trades to help with the value for money assessment on quotations for work to be done and the ability to assist in the prioritisation of work to be undertaken

It’s an exciting time to join the committee as we’re needing to develop the improvement , enhancement and maintenance plans for the units for the next 5 years and there is plenty to be done to keep this stunning and historic building in good repair to ensure it can continue to meet local need for many years to come

If you think this role might interest you please drop an email to [email protected] or give me a call on 07879 895927 for a chat in the first instance

To find out more about this historic village feature go to https://www.middletoncheney.org.uk/the-almshouses.html

Many thanks 🙏🏻

The Almshouses The AlmshousesWilliam Horton of London purchased a large proportion of the Chetwode family estate in 1799, thus becoming the Lord Of The Manor for Middleton Cheney. The Horton family became considerable landowners and had extensive interests in Stocking Frame Work and the development of elastic hose...

TRADESPEOPLE NEEDED !!!

Oh those elusive trades with any space in the diary … do they actually exist

A number of semi urgent jobs coming up in the Almshouses that we are seeking quotations and availability for

- tiling of a very small kitchen ( floor and wall - not full height - splash-back only ) after a kitchen replacement. Space is around 2m x 3m wall to wall and tiles will be installed post kitchen installation so actual tiled space is smaller (After Feb 14)

- re- plastering of 2 small rooms post damp treatment and replacement of skirting boards (Jan / Feb)

- installation of vent bricks in disused chimney breast (base and in loft) (Jan)

- replacement of skirting boards in 2 small rooms to match old (Jan / Feb)

- redecoration of 2 small living rooms (paint walls and skirting) (Feb)

- sand and varnish of orginal parquet floor in 2 small rooms (Jan / Feb)

- repairs to original parquet floor in one small room (re-lay and seal - all component parts intact ) (anytime)

- check for evidence of rodents in roof space and treat as necessary (anytime)

- replacement of 4 internal and 2 external doors with fire doors (asap)

- replacement of 2 external door locks with quick open mechanism (asap)

- general “handyman” required who we can call on at short notice to deal with any small maintenance issues

If you are able to help, please do drop us a line at [email protected] or call Suzie on 07879 895927

ALMSHOUSE VACANCY

The Trustees of the Horton Almshouses invite applications for a newly vacant unit in the Horton Almshouses

The unit is expected to be available from February 2023, following some remedial work and internal renovations. We will be accepting applications until 31st January 2023

The Horton Almshouses are located on the Main Road, Middleton Cheney and offer affordable housing units for local people in need. The self contained accommodation provides a bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, bathroom accessed from a hallway. There is a maintained communal garden to the rear. The units are small and considered single occupancy. The Trustees would consider a couple only in exceptional circumstances

Residents are appointed by the Trustees as beneficiaries of the Charity and pay a weekly maintenance contribution plus a weekly service charge towards the cost of heating and hot water, water rates and TV license. Residents are responsible for all other utility costs (electricity, telephone, broadband, council tax).

To apply for an almshouse you will be:

Aged 60+
In financial hardship
- Working no more than 16 hours per week at minimum wage
- In receipt of the state pension only if no longer working
- Total savings of less than £15,000
- Currently living in rented accommodation or with less than £15,000 equity in your current property
In need of housing
Resident of Middleton Cheney for 2+ years, or with a strong family connection to the village (next of kin)
Able to live independently as there is no onsite warden
Wanting and able to live as part of a community within the village
Able to move into the accommodation within 2 months of the offer

(Where no applicants meet all of the eligibility criteria the Trustees reserve the right to offer accommodation to the applicant who meets most of the published criteria )

For an application form, or if you wish to view the available property please contact
Susannah Smith
Clerk to the Trustees
16 Waters Lane
Middleton Cheney
OX17 2NA
Tel: 07879 895927
Email: [email protected]

Afternoon all

With the 22/23 programme of maintenance work that needs to happen in the The Horton Almshouses we are looking to increase our numbers of reliable contractors in the area.

We are currently actively looking for:

General builders
Builders with experience in dealing with damp issues
Roofers
Landscapers (hard landscaping)
Kitchen & Bathroom fitters
Flooring contractors (carpets and hard flooring)
Plumbers
Electricians

There are a number of jobs we need to be getting on with fairly urgently but are struggling with availability of known contractors.

If anyone is looking to become an approved contractor for this beautiful and historic building that needs to be maintained with a level of care and sensitivity, and who as availability in the next 6 months, please do put them in touch with us. We can't follow up recommendations in the comments as sadly often people tag known organisations who then have no availability

Would be delighted to receive interest from any organisations

We can be contacted on 07879 895927 or on [email protected]

Many thanks

The Horton Almshouses (registered charity 242839 ) has a vacancy for a new Trustee

For those who don’t know the Horton Almshouses are located on the Main Road opposite Dands Drive and offer 6 affordable long tenancy housing units for local people in need.

The Trustee role involves just 2 meetings a year (April and September) and the occasional need to answer queries and email between the committee members. It’s very low impact time wise and is obviously a voluntary role.

The role of the committee is predominantly ensuring the safety and integrity of the buildings, as well as financial management of the complex. The pastoral and accounting side is undertaken by an existing Clerk not the Committee

Essential attributes:
Access to a smart phone and / or computer to enable online approval of bank payments
Access to email
As we are a Registered Charity you must not be subject to any disqualification that prevents you from acting as a Company Director

Desirable but not essential attributes
A knowledge of the building trades to help with the value for money assessment on quotations for work to be done and the ability to assist in the prioritisation of work to be undertaken

It’s an exciting time to join the committee as we’re needing to develop the irnpovwment, enhancement and maintenance plans for the units for the next 5 years and there is plenty to be done to keep this stunning and historic building in good repair to ensure it can continue to meet local need for many years to come

If you think this role might interest you please drop an email to [email protected] or give me a call on 07879 895927 for a chat in the first instance

To find out more about this historic village feature go to https://www.middletoncheney.org.uk/the-almshouses.html

Many thanks 🙏🏻