David Ruffley MP will be performing the official opening of Needham Market's new Almshouses at Drift Court on Friday 21 November at 12 noon.

The Alexander and Maws Almshouses have served the Needham Market community since the nineteenth century. In 1980 the two buildings became part of the Almshouse Fund within the Needham Market and Barking Welfare Charities, although some renovations took place in the early 1980s it has long been accepted that the accommodation fell short of modern standards for housing elderly people.

In 1997 Trustees entered into discussions with the Housing Department of Mid Suffolk District Council and three housing associations, to establish in what ways the charity could make better use of its assets. After lengthy discussions, Trustees resolved to sell the original Almshouses to fund the construction of new ones on part of Orwell Housing Association's Drift Court Site.

The new Almshouses comprise two properties, one containing two, one bedroom flats and the other two, two bedroom flats.

David said:

'It gives me great pleasure to be performing the official opening of Needham Market's new Almshouses at Drift Court. This relocation has been a lengthy process, however, I am deeply pleased that I have been able to support the project and witness its completion.

'I am delighted that the original names of the Almshouses, Maws Almshouse and Alexander Almshouse, will be retained to continue to recognise the selfless contributions these benefactors made in the nineteenth century. The contribution of Samuel Maw and James Alexander to their community, so many years ago, serves as an example to us all and it is only fitting that we continue to remember them.

'Officers of the Almshouse Association have expressed themselves delighted with the project and I too would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved in making these new Almshouses at Drift Court such a resounding success.'