HRH Princess Alexandra will officially open new facilities at Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities’ Almshouse next week, Tuesday 13 September. On the day, Princess Alexandra will open a new suite of rooms to be known as the Lingard Suite. This forms an annex to the existing residents’ lounge and comprises a games room, an IT suite, an arts and crafts room and a wardens’ office. The residents’ lounge has also been refurbished and the Princess will join some of the residents there for tea. Afterwards, she will visit an almshouse cottage, which was built in 1896 and is presently home to Mrs Julie Campbell. This cottage was extensively renovated two years ago, retaining its architectural features but updated to the most modern standards. Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities was formally established in 1886 when Sutton Coldfield became a Borough. Its history can be traced back to 1528, when Bishop Vesey established a Corporation to govern the Town. This had responsibility for looking after needy people. Over the centuries, the Charity accumulated land and used rental income to help the poor and sick and provide education. Through the sale of land and sensible investment, the Charity now maintains 46 Almshouses for elderly local people, and makes grants of around £1 million annually to needy people and organisations within the boundaries of the former Borough of Sutton Coldfield.