THE Quadrant Almshouses in Fordingbridge has celebrated a significant milestone - its 100th anniversary.

The almshouses, which are located in Church Street, were given to Fordingbridge Parish Council on June 13 by Reginald Hannen in memory of his father John Hannen to mark the Glorious Peace of 1919.

The original qualifications to live in the alms houses were that “ the almshouse people had to be aged or infirm persons or disabled soldiers or sailors who served in the Great Ward of 1914-1919 who are resident in the Parish of Fordingbridge at the time of appointment”.

In 1969 it was registered with the Charity Commission in 1969 when five trustees were appointed.

Now the age is from 60 upwards and the residents can be from Fordingbridge, Godshill, Hyde or Sandleheath.

The Quadrant Almshouses oldest resident is 94.

The chairman of the Quadrant Almshouses Trust, Bill Dow, said: “The Quadrant Almhouses for the last 100 years have played a very significant role in providing eight units of accomodation with a lovely shared garden for people to enjoy, from the parishes of Fordingbridge, Godshill, Hyde, and Sandleheath.

“Previously prior to 1979 these parishes were either in Fordingbridge Parish Council or were wards of the Fordingbridge Parish Council . Now it goes under the title of the Fordingbridge Town Council.

“The trustees and the residents are very honoured to be celebrating this important milestone in the life of this significant historical building.

“To mark the occasion the plaque above the arch has been restored which has the words given by Reginald Hannen in memory of his father John Hannen to mark the Glorious Peace of 1919.”