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Summary

Grade II listed almshouses, much altered, most recently in 1929 when converted into a nurses' home.

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1291422: St Faith, St Hilda, St Joan, St Monika
• Conservation Area: Newbury Town Centre

Other Statuses and Cross-References

• Berkshire SMR No. (pre 2000): 01391.04.300
  
• Old Listed Building Ref (pre 1984) (II): 1/166 St. Bartholomew's Close (formerly Raymond's Buildings)
  Former almshouses, used as rest homes for retired nurses. Inscription panel says "Farm Buildings 1550. /J.H. Winchomb/Almshouses 1670 / Philip Jemmet / Reconditioned 1929 / W.Essex Wynter". Restored and altered. (Country Life, July 23rd 1943: p.158) 2 storeys with gabled attic dormers. Base of ancient brick, partly renewed. 1st floor is stuccoed, timber framed. Front has gabled central porch in tympanum of which is reset and ancient, somewhat weathered achievement of arms of the Brewers' Company. At back are 2 gables. Much restored.

Monument Type(s):

• ALMSHOUSE (17th century - 1678 AD to 1700 AD)
• HEALTH WORKERS HOUSE (Early to Mid 20th century to Unknown - 1929 AD)

Full Description

Listing description <1>: Nos 12 to 26 (even) St Hilda, St Monica, St Joan, St Faith (Formerly St Bartholomew Close)
Circa 1670 almshouses erected by Alderman P Jemmett of London, possibly a conversion of a C16 open-fronted brick shed. (Trans Newbury Field Club 6, 157). The original almshouses consisted of one-up and one-down with a wide fireplace and a semi-circular newel staircase. Extensively reconstructed 1929 as homes for retired nurses. An inscription panel states: Farm buildings 1550/J H Winchcombe/Almshouses 1670/ Philip Jemmet/Reconditioned 1929/W Essex Wynter. Wing plan. Two storeys with gable attic dormers. Tiled roof. Red brick ground floor, partly rendered.
Timber framed 1st floor with close studding and plaster panels. Mostly 2-light casement windows with leaded lights. The part has gabled central 2 storey porch and over the entrance is reset an ancient, somewhat weathered achievement of the Arms of the Brewers Company dated 1670. At the rear are 2 gables. Jemmet's almshouses were successively known as Church Cottages, Raymond's Buildings and St Bartholomew's Close. (Country Life, 23 July 1943, 158).

Hadcock quotes Mr Campbell Cooper as the source of the suggestion that a large medieval timber farm building was converted into a house <2><3>. Dr Essex Wynter converted the building into a home for retired nurses; it apparent from an old photograph <7> and an architect's drawing <8> that the appearance of the building changed substantially during this process. The timber framing visible in the present day (2004) appears to date from the 1929 conversion, but it is not clear whether the timbers were uncovered or added.

Philip Jemmett, the founder of the almshouses, bought Barton Court in Kintbury in 1671 <9>.

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

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