Here the inner link road and the
redevelopment west of it have wrought much change,
including the demolition of a row of six former
almshouses at Nos 68-78 West Pottergate. Pyes
almshouses, originally established near St
Gregorys church, were given in 1614 by Thomas Pye
to house six poor people, whether married or single,
above the age of fifty. In 1827 those houses were given
by the Corporation to one, Joseph Bexfield in exchange
for these six newly-built cottages, together with the sum
of £200, which was to be invested to be applied towards
keeping the houses in repair. The six people chosen were
to be selected, two from each of the parishes of St
Michael Coslany, St Giles and St Peter Mancroft; and to
avoid any error, above each pair of doorways was a stone
tablet inscribed with the name of the parish concerned.
Although not meeting the standards
set by old peoples homes of the present day, the
appearance they presented to the street was a pleasant
one and in this respect at least their loss is much to be
regretted.
Text and photographs Copyright ©
G.A.F.Plunkett 2001
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