Lench'S Trust Almshouses

Lench's Trust Almshouses, designed by architect J A Chatwin, were built in 1879. They form a close of red brick almshouses situated along three sides of a rectangular green, with a warden's house positioned at the center of the open end facing the street, flanked by railings. The design is an interesting blend of Birmingham Gothic and late 17th century domestic revival styles, showcasing rich local craftsmanship in moulded and cut brickwork.

The almshouse elevations facing the green are relatively plain, featuring slight Gothic details in the 2-light windows and stepped dripmoulds above the doorways. Shallow gabled breaks extend from the ranges, and the roofs are tiled with crested ridges. Tall, vertically ribbed brick chimney stacks rise from the ridges. The end houses facing the road and the warden's house are more elaborately decorated, showcasing cut brickwork and late 17th century revival details, including quoin pilasters, moulded strings, and richly moulded eaves.

Each front features pediment-gabled breaks with coupled window bays at the center. The steep hipped tile roofs are complemented by ribbed chimneys. Large windows are framed in moulded brick architraves with keys, while the gables include circular attic windows with keys and cornices that curve over, framed by triangular panels of floral carved brickwork. The warden's house mirrors these features but has a first-floor window only, an inscribed dedicatory plaque on the ground floor, and lively floral carved brickwork on the gable. The north end of the site is enclosed by a high screen wall with pointed moulded brick arcading in the upper half. The almshouses hold significant group value with the adjacent church.