Almshouses are generally thought to be ancient cottages built by philanthropists, usually men, who had made their fortune in industry or trade. However Ross-on-Wye has a new Almshouse thanks to a bequest by a Ross woman, Constance Elizabeth Cole.

Better known as Elizabeth, Ms Cole has endowed an almshouse to The Ross Charity Trustees, of which she had been one of them. Elizabeth left money in her will which enabled the trustees to purchase the almshouse.

Almshouses are charitable housing provided to enable people (typically elderly people who can no longer work to earn enough to pay rent) to live in a particular community.

To find out some more about Elizabeth, read her story in this week's Ross Gazette