by Andy Doran | Dec 4, 2025 | Events
Our triptych has sold for £5.7m to help fund our charity’s ongoing mission to provide housing for those in need and the buyer hopes to loan it to Sherborne.
The three-panelled altarpiece, which was removed from the Almshouse for safekeeping during refurbishment work in the spring, was appraised by medieval Flemish art experts at Sotheby’s and valued at £3.5m.
Transformative
Chair of our Trustees, Richard Hunt explains: “The painting was included in Sotheby’s Sale of Old Master and 19th Century Paintings in London yesterday evening (December 3) and we were thrilled to see the importance of this extraordinary painting fully recognised by those who competed for it. This outcome represents a transformative moment for the Almshouse.”
The vibrantly coloured, perfectly preserved triptych, newly-established to have been painted in Brussels in 1480-90, captures, in detail, the Five Miracles of Christ. The painting more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of £2.5-3.5million, selling for £5.7million.
Public loan
“The winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a Christian charitable foundation.
“They are committed to long-term links with the local community of Sherborne and wish to make the triptych available on a regular basis as a public loan in the town in the future.
Supporting independent living
“For five centuries our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need. The proceeds of this sale will enable us not only to safeguard that mission for generations to come, but also to act on it immediately, creating new homes and supporting independent living for those who are facing hardship.
Legacy – changing local lives
“Recent research on the painting has cemented its art historical importance – something that will be of value to generations of art lovers and scholars for many years to come. Beyond that, though, its legacy will also now live on in the lives it helps to positively change locally here in Sherborne.”
by Andy Doran | Oct 29, 2025 | Events
We’re offering our three-panelled altarpiece up for sale to secure our charity’s ongoing fundamental purpose – to provide accommodation for people from the area in need (October 2025).
The triptych artwork was removed from the Almshouse’s chapel for safekeeping when building refurbishment work began earlier in the year and has now been appraised by medieval Flemish art experts.
Protect charity’s work
Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, Richard Hunt explains: “For nearly 600 years, our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need and now, with the sale of this artwork, we have an important opportunity to protect the work that the charity can do for generations to come.
“Following many months of research by art experts in London, the quality and importance of our altarpiece has now been established and it is thought that the painting could raise between £2.5 and £3.5 million at auction.
Cost-prohibitive
“Given the potential costs of insuring work of such quality, along with the need for adequate security, and a climate-controlled environment, the Trustees have – after much discussion – unanimously decided to offer the painting for sale. It is cost-prohibitive for us to keep it onsite and publicly displayed going forward.
Preservation
“The Almshouse has been the privileged custodian of this artwork for a long time, but in light of its newly-revealed importance and value, we feel we must secure its preservation in an environment where it will be better conserved, and to use the funds to do what the Almshouse is here for – providing accommodation for local people in need in the heart of Sherborne.”
Auction date
The painting will be included in Sotheby’s Sale of Old Master and 19th Century Paintings in London on December 3.
Richard adds: “We have listened to the community around us who want the charity and the Almhouse to continue with its essential work in Sherborne.
Proceeds
“Proceeds from the sale of the triptych will fund the re-modelling of the inside of the Almshouse building to create six new homes, enabling independent living for members of our
community facing hardship. There are also significant on-going maintenance costs associated with keeping our Grade I listed building.”
by Andy Doran | Feb 27, 2025 | Events
Top london experts are appraising our three-panelled piece of altar artwork known as a triptych (February 2025).
The artwork was removed from our Chapel for safekeeping when work started on converting the adjoining space into a tearoom.
Richard Hunt, our Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, explains: “The painting was moved to keep it safe and out of harm’s way during the building work that is currently ongoing, and that is why we have taken the opportunity to find out more about it.”
Five miracles
The triptych possibly dates to the fifteenth century and depicts five miracles of Christ including the raising of Lazarus in the central panel.
Richard adds: “The artwork has been dated on stylistic grounds to the late 1400s. There is some debate over whether it is Flemish or French and the artist is unknown. We are hoping that expert analysis will help us to fill in some of the blanks.
“Once we know more about the origins and attribution, and, also have an assessment of the value of the painting, we can then consider its future.”
Ongoing work
The ongoing work at the Almshouse is part of a new collaboration involving us and Sherborne Abbey, which was announced last year.
It will see some rooms re-modelled to enable affordable independent living for people from the area, while the Abbey will use downstairs space for a traditional tearoom and a suite of rooms upstairs to provide a support centre for young people and separate space for community projects.
Contact us
If you have any information about the triptych and would like to share it, please contact us by emailing: housewardens@stjohnshouse.org.
by Andy Doran | Jan 13, 2025 | Events
A few months ago, the laundry room at Sherborne’s St Johns’ Almshouse housed washing machines, clothes airers and washing powder. Now it has been transformed to provide a cosy kitchen diner as the first step in a project that will see part of the Almshouse building remodelled to provide independent affordable accommodation for local people.
With a bedroom and bathroom upstairs, the unit is now occupied, providing a much-needed new home in the centre of the town.
In a statement the Almshouse trustees said “We are delighted to have made our new ‘Garden Cottage’ available so quickly. This is the first step towards our vision of creating seven new units within the Almshouse complex”.
Positive Period for Sherborne Almshouse
Richard Hunt, chair of the Almshouse trustees stated, “2024 saw some really positive developments for the Almshouse. First, we agreed our new collaboration with the Abbey which will breathe new life into the building through the Abbey’s community work, while enabling us to provide townsfolk with much needed affordable accommodation.”
“We opened our doors for a public open day and received overwhelming support for our plans from the people that came,” he added.
“Our new MP Edward Morello has visited twice, and our Town Council has voiced support”.
“Rooms have been redecorated and the windows repaired. Now we have our first new unit occupied”, he said. “Our cottage in Trendle Street, which has remained open since the main House was temporarily closed, also has a new resident.”
Mr Hunt added “2025 will be a very important year for the Almshouse. We need funds to make our vision a reality. We are sure that the town will back us. We all know that affordable accommodation is badly needed, and we hope that before too long and with the right support, we will be offering new homes to local people.”
Anyone, or any organisation, interested and able to help should contact the Almshouse on 01935 813245 or via email using housewardens@stjohnshouse.org.
A new collaboration involving the Almshouse and Sherborne Abbey was announced last year which will see some rooms re-modelled to enable affordable independent living for local people while the Abbey will use downstairs space for a traditional tearoom and a suite of rooms upstairs to provide a support centre for young people and separate space for community projects.
by Andy Doran | Nov 29, 2024 | Events
The first phase of a £22,000 project to conserve our Victorian windows at the Almshouse has been completed.
The project has seen windows removed for the conservation work to fragile glass and leaded frames.
Our Chair of Trustees, Richard Hunt explains: “The task has been carefully managed by Holy Well Glass, a specialist company that has worked in Winchester and Wells Cathedrals, Penrhyn Castle and St. Michael’s Mount, and other prestigious locations across the country.
“Visitors to the Abbey Close might have noticed that some of the Almshouse windows have been boarded in recent weeks. The only way to complete repairs to the windows was for the glass and frames to be carefully removed and repaired before being replaced.
“Before too long we hope that our building will provide more much needed affordable accommodation, and with the cooperation of the Abbey, prove to be a real community asset for the town.
“Such a historic listed building does provide challenges, however, and we are asking for support to meet the costs of this essential conservation work.”
Any individual or organisation, interested and able to contribute towards the cost of the repairs should contact us on 01935 813245 or via housewardens@stjohnshouse.org.
by Andy Doran | Nov 25, 2024 | Events
Sherborne local historians Barry Brock and Tony White recently took ladder and torch to examine the roof of the original almshouse building.
Amongst a number of surprises revealed, they discovered that that the roof space was at one point adapted for use as living accommodation, apparently to cope with rising demand for places in the Almshouse – a demand that was only properly satisfied with the 1860s extension to create the building we know today.
Also it is significant that the Almshouse roof is one of a family of roofs with distinctive curved upper struts built by the carpenters of Sherborne Monastery (who should perhaps be more properly described as carpenters of the Salisbury diocese). This and the use of jointed crucks rather than the arch-braced collar beam trusses used in two earlier Sherborne buildings will be of particular interest to the architectural historian.
Barry Brock added, “This was a fascinating project and we are grateful that the Trustees gave permission for us to explore. There are so many interesting features. We were intrigued, for example, to find evidence of an earlier blue colour scheme, possibly Georgian; and by the initials left by the Victorian carpenter, proud of his ability to replicate the pendant finial constructed by his predecessor during the reign of Henry VI.”
The findings are published, along with a number of illustrations and photographs, in a new booklet, copies of which can be purchased from the Sherborne Antiques Market or by post from the publisher (email: threepigeonspress@gmail.com), rice £8.00.
by Andy Doran | Nov 22, 2024 | Events
West Dorset’s new MP, Edward Morello, has visited the almshouse to see for himself plans to re-configure the building.
A new collaboration was recently announced revealing that the Almshouse and Abbey would both use the historic building going forward.
The Almshouse will develop space to provide affordable independent living for locals and that the Abbey will create a traditional tearoom, support centre for young people and space for community projects.
Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, Richard Hunt said: “We were really pleased Mr Morello was able to join us to find out more about our vision for the future of the building. We greatly appreciate his interest and support”.
by Andy Doran | Nov 8, 2024 | Events
Sherborne residents backed proposals for the future of the Almshouse at the recent Open Day when Trustees and Abbey officials were on hand to talk through ambitious plans.
A new collaboration had been previously announced revealing that the Almshouse and Abbey would both use the historic building going forward.
Vision
Our Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, Richard Hunt said: “We were really pleased that so many people were able to join us at the Open Day to find out more about our vision for the future of the building and to share their views.
“We announced in September that the Almshouse will develop space to provide affordable independent living for locals and that the Abbey will create a traditional tearoom, support centre for young people and space for community projects.
Exciting plan
“After looking carefully at all the options, we remain confident that this exciting plan will benefit our community by providing much needed affordable accommodation; will benefit local young people by providing a safe space to share and will benefit the town by returning our incredible building to the heart of community life.”
“Local people liked the fact that the building will come alive again and be used, as it always has been, to provide affordable accommodation to people who need it.”
For local people
This message was echoed by the Rector of Sherborne Abbey, Reverend Martin Lee.
He added: “The Almshouse has cared for local people for many years, and we are looking to continue that tradition. We hope that the town will support us in helping to make our vision a reality.”
The Almshouse is encouraging both donations and legacy giving.
