THE Duke of Gloucester yesterday (Tuesday, May 31) met one of Heytesbury’s oldest residents at an almshouse that is celebrating its 550th anniversary this year.

The 77-year-old Duke, who is Royal Vice Patron of The Almshouse Association, sat down next to 98-year-old Elizabeth Stewart during his visit to the Hospital of St John in Heytesbury.

HRH Prince Richard helped to pull a bow ribbon and unveiled brass plaques on a new circular tree bench seat around a lime tree in the gardens of the hospital.

Miss Stewart has lived at the almshouse for the past 13 years. She said: “Oh, it’s lovely place to be.  It has lovely grounds and there are lots of nice people about.”

She is not originally from Wiltshire, saying: “I have been around a good many different places but I have been in Wiltshire a long time.”

The almshouse was founded in 1449 and endowed on April 4 1472 in the reign of King Edward IV, by Lady Margaret Hungerford, in memory of Walter her father-in-law, the 1st Lord Hungerford, and her husband Robert.

The Hospital of St John is now a charity which is now governed by the Charity Commission since 2018.

Its almshouse provides affordable housing for elderly people in need who wish to live independently.

The Hospital of St John is located on a two-acre site and is home to 42 pensioners and staff who live in 36 accommodation units. 

The Duke spent an hour celebrating the 550th anniversary of The Hospital of St John with its residents and thanking the Trustees and staff.

He was following in the footsteps of his mother Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who made the last Royal visit to the hospital on October 11 1978 to open new accommodation.

On his arrival, the Duke was greeted and saluted by two Lord Lieutenant Cadets, Able Cadet Jessica Hewson, 17, of TS Achilles Sea Cadets Corps in Trowbridge, and Sgt Cadet Alex Lansley, 18, of 1304 DF Air Training Corps in Corsham.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, then presented the Duke to civic dignitaries, trustees and staff.

Afterwards, he posed for a photograph in front of The Old Hospital building, which dates from 1767, and viewed the HR Princess Alice commemorative plaque and a photograph album of her visit in 1978.

The Duke then spent more than 30 minutes socialising with residents, trustees and staff in part of the hospital. 

They include twins, Muriel Pearce, and her sister, Maureen Philbert, now 89, who have lived there for 12 years and do everything together.