It was a wonderful afternoon at the Lathom Park Almshouses near Ormskirk when the Almshouse Charity celebrated 100 years since being founded in 1926. The Almonry was part of the Lathom Park estate and the building dates back to the early 1500’s built by the Earl of Derby.
The building was donated to the charity by the 3rd Earl of Lathom in 1926 and continues to provide accommodation for qualifying residents. The original trustees of the charity were all well-known local Freemasons, and since founding, with only a few exceptions, it continues to be managed by voluntary trustees and a clerk who are members of the Craft from the Ormskirk area. The 1st and 2nd Earl’s of Lathom were respected Provincial Grand Masters from the late 19th century.
The Lathom Park Trust archive group had prepared a comprehensive history book specially for the occasion. A memorial plaque was unveiled by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, together with Margaret Stewart, the Almshouse Association Regional Champion for Lancashire. As well as all the current trustees, the event was supported by residents of the Almshouses and their families, members of the Lathom Park Trust, the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman Stephen Dunn and vice chairman Malcolm Sandywell, past trustees, together with many friends, family and members of the local community.
The Secretary of the Lathom Park Trust gave an excellent address in the Lathom Park Chapel at which she pointed out the excellent work Freemasons had done in setting up the charity and continuing to maintain it over 100 years for the benefit of those in need of assistance in the local community.
