A ROYAL visit to Stratford’s restored almshouses in the 1980s was certainly one for the photo album.
And now that album has made its way to the almshouses’ historic archive following an official presentation.
In the early 1980’s the Guild Cottages Almshouses were redeveloped at the rear to provide better accommodation for the residents. Two bungalows were also built in the gardens.
The site foreman for the restoration was Len Harris. He took photographs of the redevelopment and also of the official opening in November 1984 by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne who visited to unveil a plaque.
Mr Harris’s daughter Angela Rogers agreed to present this album of photographs to the Municipal Charities as a memento of the historic event.
The presentation took place at the annual Municipal Charities Garden Party at Guild Cottages on Thursday July 31. Angela handed the book of photographs to Municipal Charities patron and trustee Mick Love.
Charity chair Andy Smith said “ We are delighted that Angela Rogers has chosen to hand over this photograph album which shows the historic redevelopment of the Guild Cottages Almshouses. We are very grateful to her and her family for kindly agreeing to do this. It will become part of our historic archives available for all visitors to enjoy.”
