AN EMPTY row of 17th century almshouses which once provided shelter to Anglesey’s poor could soon be the subject of an estimated half-million pound development to create starter homes for young people. Plans for an “exciting” renovation scheme has been revealed by the trustees of the Grade II listed Penmynydd Almshouses – also known as the Lewis Rogers Almshouses The tiny homes built around 1620, were originally designed to house the destitute of ‘good and honest” character and were occupied for the best part of 400 years, and managed by trustees. The idea for the almshouses originally come about because of the will of a barber surgeon Lewis Rogers who died in London, in 1618.
Doorway with date stone of 1620 at Penmynydd Almshouses (Image Dale Spridgeon) Due to a lack of funds in his estate the scheme was taken on and expanded by his friend Lewis Owen – who had been a ‘Serjeant of the King’s Larder’ to James I’- and is believed to have connections to the Tudor dynasty of Penmynydd. The homes were originally built to provide shelter and relief for those from the Pentraeth, Llanddyfynan, Llanfihangel, Ysgeifiog areas. Dafydd Idriswyn Roberts - one of trustees of the Penmynydd Almshouses (Image Dale Spridgeon) The last residents moved out several decades ago and since then they have remained unoccupied and started to fall into ruin.
Now, in a scheme to breathe new life into the properties, the trustees are hoping to develop them into homes which could be re.
