Talk:Donnington, Berkshire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Oldest Charity?

Newbury has a Hospital that can be dated to before 1215 - earlier than Donnington Hospital.

I believe, although St. Bart's is an older almshouse body, it is not a charity. Verica Atrebatum 08:40, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

St Barts almshouses are now part of the Newbury Almshouse Trust - which is very much a charity. The question is probably whether it was a charity (however you define it) before it was handed over to the Borough of Newbury in the late C16th. It seems to have the disadvantage over Donnington in not having a clear date of foundation and charter setting out its aims. However, its operation seems to have been very simnilar to the Donnington one. St Mary's Almshouses are also part of the Newbury Almshouse Trust - they are also likely to be older than Donnington Hospital, dating back to a C12th leper house, though this is probably impossible to prove.

The Newbury Almshouse Trust has older roots then, but was only itself formed in the 16th century. Thanks for clearing that up Verica Atrebatum 21:19, 11 December 2006 (UTC)