Our History
Who Was Peter Birtwistle?
Peter Birtwistle was born in Colne in 1841. After early training as a teacher and a venture into the cotton manufacturing business, Peter eventually settled in Canada, where he established himself as a successful merchant. He created a Trust leaving his fortune to the Borough of Colne the benefit of its elderly residents. The money was to be paid to the Colne Corporation 21 years after his death.
Peter died in 1927, and by the time the money was paid out, the amount had accumulated to almost $1,000,000 Canadian dollars. His bequest formed the foundation of the Peter Birtwistle Trust, which continues to provide housing for older people in Colne to this day.
The Trust’s Journey
The Peter Birtwistle Trust was officially established under a Charity Commission Scheme in 1951, aimed at providing homes for the elderly.
The Community Centre on Keighley Road was the first acquisition. The first 22 almshouses were built at Peter Birtwistle Close in 1957 followed by a further 18 at Birtwistle Fold in 1964. 10 more were built at Birtwistle Standroyd in 1970.
In 1993 the Trust became a Housing Association which enabled it to receive grants from the Housing Corporation. With the additional finance of a mortgage from the Marsden Building Society 10 flats and 4 bungalows were built at Birtwistle Hyde Park. A refurbishment of the Community Centre was undertaken in 2009, enabling the creation of 4 new flats on Keighley Road. A further 12 bungalows were built at Birtwistle East Lemes in 2018.
In 2019, the Trust became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), and more recently, the completion of Peter Birtwistle House in 2021, added an additional 12 new flats.
Today, the Trust manages 95 almshouses, all designed with the needs of older people in mind, continuing Peter Birtwistle's legacy of care and support.
