Commitment to Heritage and Community
Our Story and Mission
The Baker's Almshouses were established in 1863 to offer affordable homes within the Stutton community. Our mission is to maintain these historic buildings responsibly to provide safe, accessible housing to local residents. We value the heritage and value of the Almshouses and the important part they play in our community.
The challenges of maintaining a Victorian brick built building on limited funds are numerous, the main issue being damp. Our quinquennial report highlighted the need for the building to be repointed, new soakaways dug, replacement rainwater goods and a new French drain installed. These works will hopefully help the interiors of the houses dry out and will enable redecoration and new flooring.
Unfortunately historic maintenance works were not completed using the right materials and we have cement plaster that needs replacing with lime throughout. The houses can then be insulated and different heating and ventilation options explored.
The estimated costs of the exterior works are in the region of £150,000. We need to explore fundraising options to raise this sum
History
The Baker’s Almshouses are located in Stutton, Suffolk. They were built and endowed in 1863 by Elizabeth and Harriet Baker to honour their late brother the Reverend George Baker.
Described by a local historian as "an eccentric individual, warm hearted and probably the greatest benefactor the village ever had. He deprived himself of luxuries in order that he might benefit future generations ...At his death he left a sufficient sum to build six two roomed dwellings and also to endow each dwelling with seven shillings a week"
Established by a Deed of Trust dated 27th May 1863 the original qualifications stated that “The Almspeople shall be poor persons of good character who (except in special cases) are resident in the Parish of Stutton. Preference will be given to applicants who are communicant members of the Church of England”
Originally built as six houses it has been reconfigured to provide five self-contained houses, it was designated as a Grade II listed building in February 1989.
“Almshouses. Circa 1863. Erected in memory of Rev George Baker by his sisters. Red brick. Red plain tiled roofs. Half H-plan with courtyard facing the road, flanked by gabled wings to right and left. Two chimneystacks to each range, each with 2 octagonal shafts, moulded bases and capping. Single storey. Parapet verges to gables. Central range has 5 gables with bargeboards, centre gable larger and on arched brackets. 2:1:2 window range of 2-light small paned casements, square heads and labels, central window adjoins a door to left, each with pointed segmental head, vertically boarded door with ornate strap hinges. Coat of Arms below window. Plaque over door. Slit lights to right and left wing gable apices, 2-light casements under, square heads and labels. The courtyard faces of these two wings each have an end gable on brackets blank below, and 3 small paned casements. The outer faces each with similar end gables, 3 gables with 2-light casements and hoods matching central range and a larger gable with door and window under similar to central range.”
The Building is surrounded by a separately Grade II listed wall
“Garden wall, circa 1863. Red brick enclosing the almshouses and garden on 4 sides, the road face with sunk open panels and moulded coping. Square columns with triangular coping to front angles and gates. Cast iron gates. Included for group value.”