Two new almshouses officially opened in High Wycombe

The Mayor of High Wycombe, Councillor Nathan Thomas, unveiled the new residences at Chichester Close on Thursday, October 24.

The addition was welcomed by Councillor Lesley Clarke OBE, chairman of Wycombe Almshouses, who, during her speech, expressed her pleasure at the expansion.

Outside entrance of the building (Image: Neil Marshment)

She said: "On behalf of the trustees, we are delighted to be able to add to the Wycombe Almshouses stock.

"Wycombe Almshouses started way back in the 15th century, and we welcome our two new residents to the Almshouses and hope they will be very happy in their new homes."

The opening ceremony also saw the attendance of Simon Ling, trustee of the National Almshouses Association.

Wycombe Almshouses, a charity that has been rooted in High Wycombe for several centuries, has been on its current site since 1971.

Cutting the ribbon (Image: Neil Marshment)

This was after the previous almshouses on Easton Street were demolished.

The new build, which includes solar panels and underfloor heating, has been praised for its exceptional quality.

Paul Turner, the almshouses manager, said: "The contractor DBC Contracting Ltd of Watford has done an amazing job and has given us and our future residents homes to be proud of."

The design of the new buildings was the work of Richard Clarke, an architect and one of the trustees of Wycombe Almshouses.