Prince Charles visits Thomas Parsons Square, Ely
On Tuesday 27th November, HRH Prince Charles paid a visit to Thomas Parsons Square in Ely. Organised by Jen Millard, Prince Charles met with local dignitaries and Chairman and Vice-Chairman on the Thomas Parsons Charity, and went on to meet a local resident, before attending a reception at Poets House and unveiling a plaque for the Square.
Thomas Parsons Charity is a major landowner in the Ely area. The estate comprises 4 farms, 27 Almshouses, 3 residential properties, other strategic ad hoc recreational and agricultural land holdings and 72 allotments. Exciting ongoing projects include land being taken for the Ely Bypass and most recently a Planning Application has been made to East Cambridgeshire District Council for 10 new Almshouses on land owned by the Charity. Cheffins and principally Jennifer Millard are responsible for the day to day management of the estate.
This is a significant year for both the Charity and Cheffins as their Receiver. The Charity is celebrating its 500th year and 2018 see’s Edwin Lee retire as Receiver after 35 years involvement with the Charity. Jonathan Stiff will take over Edwin Lee following his retirement.
Back in September of this year the Almhouse Association were contacted by Clarence House as HRH Prince Charles, Patron to the Association wished to visit Almshouse residents in the locality. In turn the Almshouse Association contacted Cheffins and after much hard work, liaison with various police departments, the Lord Lieutenants office and Clarence House HRH Prince Charles commenced his tour of Ely with a visit to the Grade II Listed Almshouses and a coffee morning thereafter where he was able to meet with residents.
Following his departure the residents celebrated the visit with a lunch at The Poets House and HRH Prince Charles went on to visit Ely Cathedral and the market square – where colleagues were able to wave and spot both Charles and Camilla from the Cheffins Ely Office.
Despite the Charity gaining Royal Ascent 500 years ago, this is the first known visit to the Almshouses by Royalty and amongst other traditions Cheffins have organised a plaque to be placed at the Almshouses to commemorate the occasion. The visit was reported in both the National and Local Press and on regional television.