A charity that was set up by the founder of Smedley’s canning factory in Wisbech is looking for anybody interested in living in new accommodation which features a warden visit.
The SW Smedley Charitable Trust has won planning permission for fourteen new homes for the elderly to add to accommodation already owned by the trustees in West Street Wisbech.
Michael Smedley, grandson of Samuel Wallace Smedley, who founded the factory in 1924, is chairman of Smedley Charitable Trust Trustees.
He said: “My grandfather left all of his money in his will to setting up the charitable trust.
“In his lifetime he saw farm workers who lived in tythe cottages who, once they retired, were asked to leave their homes to make way for new workers.
“They would then be out on their neck with no money. He wanted to set up the trust so that money was used for accommodation.”
The trustees have won planning approval for building additional units and they now want to determine demand before beginning any new build work.
The Trust have built the first four flats, which have been occupied for the past two years, and at their next meeting will consider whether to undertake building of the remaining ten modern self-contained units.
Smedley Homes in Wisbech offer town-centre accommodation of single bedroom flats, which although there is a warden, do not provide sheltered accommodation.
The residents are quite independent, shopping, cooking and looking after themselves.
Mr Smedley said: “The residents share pleasant garden surroundings and the use of the garden room, community facilities where film shows and other shared activities take place.
“In considering whether to build the ten additional flats, it would help the trustees to have some indication of need from persons who might be interested if and when these new flats are built.”
Anybody interested is invited, without commitment, to contact The Warden, Smedley Trust Homes, West Street, Wisbech PE13 2TQ or Dbggs4@aol.com or call 01945 583 947.
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