A HOUSING charity in Cirencester is celebrating after officially opening its first almshouse in over 20 years.

St Lawrence’s Hospital Charity, which has been operating in Cirencester for nearly 800 years, has added a new addition to its stock for the first time since 1992.

At the official opening of the new house, the 9th Earl Bathurst, who is master of the charity, handed over the keys to the new occupants.

He said: “I am delighted that we have had the opportunity to acquire another property in such close proximity to our existing almshouses. This will help the charity to meet the housing demand for retired local people.”

The St Lawrence’s Hospital Charity, which already owns 23 properties in Cirencester, purchased the new house in Gooseacre Court for £180,000 and spent another £15,000 on renovations.

Sandy Price, a trustee of St Lawrence’s, said that the charity had been able to buy the property after years of constant saving.

She said: “Over the years the charity has managed its finances well. I think we’ve just been very careful and when we’ve had a small surplus we’ve invested it wisely.”

Almshouses are provided to enable people, most of whom are retired and unable to afford their previous rent, to continue living in a particular community.

Sandy said that being able to house someone can have a massively positive effect.

She said: “Having seen the new occupants in their old homes and now in the almshouses, it’s just wonderful to be able to see the difference that it can make to somebody’s life.”

The charity has also said that it hopes it doesn’t take another 21 years before it can purchase another property for people in Cirencester.

Anybody wanting to apply for one of the charity’s almshouses should contact the Bathurst office clerk on 01285 653135.