Elis David Almshouses
A resident of the Elis David Almshouses was so inspired by her historical surroundings that she has written her own book about the site's heritage.
The Land Called 'Delles' is the result of five years research into the history of the Elis David Almshouses in Croydon, undertaken by resident Sue Turnball.
The 136 page book, complete with 40 images, contains the first biography of Elias Davy (C1385-1455) who originally founded the almshouses in 1447.
Elias Davy purchased a piece of land called 'Delles', near to Croydon Parish Church and today this land extends from the north border of the Rose and Crown in Church Street to the northern end of Reeves Corner Island.
According to Sue, the Little Almshouse on the site, described as the 'poor relation' to the original, is believed to have been built in the 1530s and financially supported by the parishioners of Croydon and a variety of individual benefactors.
It was situated on the part of land called 'Belles', which is today Reeves Corner Island, until 1896 when it was resited in Scarbrook Road and named the Henry Smith Almshouse.
In her introduction to the book, Sue says: "It was here that in 1997 I was fortunate enough to be given accommodation and the opportunity in my retirement of researching family history, an adventure that took me through nearly 600 years of the history of Croydon, its parish churches and people.
"Despite the hazards of fire, human destruction and error, and acts of God, numerous records have survived for me to track down a variety of locations and this is but a brief account of my findings.
"I am well aware that the present almshouses is a monument to those legions of people who gave something of themselves to make it all possible, and it is a matter of some pride that Croydon's oldest charitable foundation is alive and well in the 21st century."
Sue's book, ISBN number 0-9549133-0-2, is available from the Tourist Information Centre at Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, priced £5. It is also available directly from the author, with an extra £1.60 charge for postage and packaging, c/o The Clerk's Office, Elis David Almshouse, Duppas Hill Terrace, Croydon CRO 4BT.