Behind The Blue Doors Of Brixton's Georgian Almshouse

By Will Noble

Last Updated 02 April 2024

Will Noble Behind The Blue Doors Of Brixton's Georgian Almshouse

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A man in a room, its walls covered in art — Guy Hunting, 78, a published author, and previously a footman at Buckingham Palace, scours local charity shops for artworks to add to his enormous collection. "People aren’t here by choice...some are here for unfortunate reasons...by 'force majeure'...but some are great fun."

"I've often wondered what lay behind the blue front doors of this distinctive Georgian building on Brixton's busy Acre Lane, and which are always firmly shut," says Jim Grover.

Fortunately for Grover, he's a celebrated documentary photographer — and so began his latest project, which delves into the past and present of Trinity Homes Almshouse, and the stories that lay behind its blue doors.

A Georgian Almshouse — The almshouse was established in 1824 'for pious aged women'.

Behind the Blue Doors — which appears as a free exhibition at Lambeth Archives from 19 April-1 June 2024 — is a story in three parts. The first is about the extremely religious Thomas Bailey, the successful china and glass merchant, who set up the almshouse (then Trinity Asylum) in 1824 'for pious aged women'.

A second strand explores the lives of the women who first lived here, including Margaret Wright, an inmate (as they were called then) from 1883 to 1914, who had to stick fast to the original 30 rules, and received a monthly sack of coal, plus £10 each year — equivalent to around £1,400 in today's money.

A rolled up parchment — Margaret Wright's 1879 'Memorial'. A successful applicant would have their documentation bundled together as their 'Memorial' and held by the trustees. Margaret Wright’s comprises 25 letters and documents.

A marble wall tablet — Wall tablet, Trinity Homes.

Finally, Grover has photographed and spoken to the almshouse's 17 current tenants (there is also a warden and a cat), including Wallee McDonnell, a 72-year-old who facilitates peace education workshops in London prisons; Guy Hunting, a former Buckingham Palace footman who now scours local charity shops for artworks to add to his walls; and Peter Avery, a former senior art lecturer, who has converted his bedroom into a studio and is currently designing a stage set for a south London theatre.

A yellow chair sculpture — Traces of former artist residents can be found in the communal gardens.

A small statue tangled in garden plants — The almshouse is full of stories to tell, and Grover has uncovered many of them.

The exhibition features over 50 photographs, as well as documents, prints and portraits from the 19th century that shed light on the almshouse's first 100 years.

Says Grover: "It's been a wonderful voyage of discovery for me, full of extraordinary revelations that span 200 years. I am so pleased to be able to throw open the doors and share the remarkable and inspiring stories that lie behind them."