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Our Charities

The Court of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen serves as the corporate trustee for the following charities:

  • Royal Benevolent and Educational Fund for Watermen and Lightermen (Charity No. 1086890)
  • Company’s Poor’s Fund (Charity No. 231320)

The primary beneficiaries of the Royal Benevolent and Education Fund are Freemen of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, along with their widows or widowers.

Accommodation for Retired Freemen

The Charity provides housing at Watermen’s Close, Hastings, for retired Freemen and their widows or widowers facing financial challenges..

Support for Training and Education

The Charity aids in the training and education of apprentices and other individuals interested in acquiring skills related to inland and estuarial waterways.

Preservation and Public Access

The Charity has a responsibility to preserve Watermen’s Hall, promoting reasonable public access to appreciate its historic and architectural features, artworks, furniture, and artifacts. Guided tours of Watermen’s Hall are organised throughout the year.

 

Donations

Donations are greatly appreciated, as the charities face various demands on their reserves. Donating through Gift Aid is more tax-efficient, and relevant forms can be provided upon request.

Quarterage

Apprentices, trainees, and Freemen are required to pay Quarterage, supporting the Annual Compassionate Allowance. The suggested amount is £104.00 per year (for working Freemen), payable through standing order on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

Compassionate Allowance Annual Allowance 

Thanks to the generosity of contributing Freemen, the Trustees of the Watermen’s Company Poors Fund increased the Christmas allowance for those on the Compassionate List. The continued support from paying quarterage helps sustain this well-received allowance. For those eligible and wishing to apply for the Compassionate Allowance, please contact [email protected]

Almshouses in Hastings

Our Almshouses in Hastings

We offer 51 well-maintained bungalows in Hastings designed to provide housing for Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames or their widows/widowers.

Quality homes

Situated within a secure enclosed site just outside Hastings, these bungalows provide a safe and comfortable place to call home. Most units are one-bedroom, unfurnished, and meticulously maintained. Over the past decade, we’ve undertaken various improvements, including new roofs, guttering, replacement double-glazed windows, and new back doors. Ongoing efforts include installing new cold-water tanks for enhanced environmental sustainability and upgrading heating systems.

Relaxing Environment

The site boasts a pleasant vista, cared for by a dedicated team of two gardeners. Our goal is to offer residents convenient and comfortable accommodation, allowing them the freedom to come and go as they please. The communal hall on-site serves as a social hub, encouraging residents to forge friendships and participate in various events organised by the Social Club Committee, both on-site and at other locations.

Every home has a story and our Almshouses are no different. 

How to Apply

To apply for admission to the Almshouse, kindly reach out to [email protected] or call 0207 283 2373 for an application form. Preference is always given to Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames.

The Trustees are eager to support Watermen and Lightermen who may not qualify for full charitable assistance but could still be admitted as tenants. In such cases, a substantial reduction on the commercial rental is offered to acknowledge their status as Freemen of the Company.

Commercial Lettings

In accordance with the Charity Commission’s arrangement, the Trustees can lease out a number of bungalows on short-hold tenancies (12 months) if these are not required for retired Watermen and Lightermen. If you wish to be considered for a short-hold tenancy, please send a direct letter to Watermen’s Hall or email [email protected].

The bungalows are situated at:

Watermen’s Close
St Helen’s Park Road
Hastings
East Sussex, TN34 2JP

 

Our complaints policy can be downloaded here

https://watermenscompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/WebPage-Draft-Complaints-Policy-28-08-2025.pdf