In 1888, Reverend Arthur Corner, John Bruce (Ironstone Mine Manager) and Dr. John V. Laverick set up our Charity, known as the “Charity of John Corner”. John Corner was the father of Rev. Arthur Corner, and was quite a wealthy man, but remained concerned about others less fortunate than himself. They built the St. Hilda’s Almshouses building for the sole benefit of inhabitants of Hinderwell Parish (i.e. from the villages of Hinderwell, Port Mulgrave, Runswick Bay, Staithes and part of Dalehouse). The building was originally known as “Corner House”.
There was a shop, five cottages and a Public Reading Room. The cottages were to be occupied as almshouses, either rent free or “at such small rent as the Trustees in their discretion shall think proper” (therefore the need for the shop and a steady income to maintain the building). Accommodation could be provided for a Librarian/caretakers.
Hinderwell Library was formed, and a billiard table was purchased for £10.19s.6d in 1901 to create a Billiard Room. This was the only indoor community space (unrelated to a church) in Hinderwell, before the WI/Village hall was built in the 1930’s.
Reading Room members had to be over 16, subs were 1s6d per quarter, paid in advance, and was closed on a Sunday. Betting, gambling, card playing for money, swearing, bad language and all disorderly conduct were strictly forbidden.
They got daily newspapers and regular magazines, organised billiard handicaps and matches against Port Mulgrave (who also had a reading room from 1913). Books for the library were either purchased, borrowed from bigger libraries or donated by wealthy people (eg the Lascelles family who were associated with Castle Howard).
John Bruce, Dr. John V. Laverick and William Jefferson, Clerk to the Local Board of Hinderwell, were the first Trustees.
In comparison to modern standards, the building was not very well constructed – eg. poor foundations , very porous bricks, the footpaths around the building are higher than the cottage floors in places, so damp has always been a problem. There was only one outside tap for all the tenants, outside toilets, and quarry tiles were laid directly onto an earth floor. Water, electricity and indoor toilets were not provided until 1960’s and 1970’s, with grants from Whitby Rural District Council.
Just after the Second World War, it was difficult to find Trustees and so a new Scheme was set up with the Charity Commission in 1951, and the Charity became a member of the National Almshouse Association. This new scheme vested the charity in the Official Trustee of Charity Lands.
In 2012, it became known that the Trustees at the time, were trying to sell the building, as it was in such poor condition, and the Charity did not have the necessary finances for renovations as almost 50% of the building was uninhabitable.
The present Board of Trustees (all local residents), volunteered to try and prevent the loss of a such a valuable community asset and have successfully applied for grants, increased the annual income for the Charity , and by April 2019 will have provided good quality, affordable accommodation for local people in four newly renovated flats, and improved the amenity space at the rear of the building. A total of six flats are now available to rent, which currently houses seven local residents.
TOTAL RESTRICTED INCOME SINCE 2012
GRANTS £130,000 REFUNDS £7813 LOANS £20,000
TOTAL RENOVATION/REPAIR COSTS (up to 2023) £175,000 Income from rents made up the deficit
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