Lovibond Cottages

Lovibond Cottages are a block of four almshouses built in 1820. They are constructed from gault brick in Flemish bond and have a slate roof. The cottages face southwest and feature four axial stacks. There are four 20th-century rear extensions made of red brick in stretcher bond, each with a flat roof. The cottages are single-storey and have eight casement windows in a Gothick style, with two-centred lights set in square heads and moulded plaster labels. The front of each cottage has a 20th-century half-glazed door set within a 20th-century boarded porch, which has a felted barrel vault roof and internal seating on either side. Each stack includes two recesses in the front and one on each side, all with two-centred heads. The roof is hipped with a low pitch, and there are simple pilasters at the middle and ends of the front elevation. A stone tablet inscribed with the words "These four tenements were erected for the reception of two aged married couples, and two aged single persons, either natives or very old inhabitants of this parish. G.L. 1st August 1820. H.C.L." commemorates their purpose. The cottages were built and endowed by Martha Lovibond in accordance with her deceased daughter Harriet Catherine Lovibond's wishes, as established in an indenture from 21 October 1820, which created "The Hatfield Peverel invested Fund for aged Poor" according to the Report of the Charity Commissioners, Essex.