Old Almshouses, High Street, Chesterton

Old Almshouses, Chesterton High Street

History of the )ld Almshouses

These were built circa 1860 but demolished during WWII to allow Hallens, the next door garage, to expand to service military vehicles.

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4 May 1899
Filthy almshouses, Chesterton, p2 *

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1899 05 04.

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21 September 1905
The will of the late Mr Stephen Mansfield of Trumpington includes a bequest of £250 to Chesterton Baptist chapel where he once a teacher in the Sunday School. This is not his only benefaction to the village; there are five almshouses erected by him and their upkeep and stipends for the inmates are provided out of other property. He also subscribed to the Royal Albert and Victoria Friendly Societies’ asylum and left £100 to the poor of Trumpington

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 05 09 21.

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1960s

The site had been acquired by Mr L W Hallen in 1937 and parts of the old dance hall were incorporated into the development of the garage.

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“Shorty” Hallen’s motorcycle business — 3 June 1952
Ever since he was a young land “Shorty” Hallen has been fascinated by motor cycles. Some 20 years ago he started a business of his own in a small shed in Chesterton. Then in 1936 he opened his showrooms at Chesterton Road, Cambridge. Now he has opened another shop at the Bridge Garage, St Ives. Who could have visualised that the rather tumbled-down buildings could have been turned into the magnificent premises they now are? Instead of a musty-looking building it is a brightly painted, well set out and amply stocked showroom with everything for the motor cyclist. It will add to the usefulness, drawing capacity and charm of the town.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Road Area Scrapbook, reference 1952 06 03 c