Streche's Almshouses, Wareham, Dorset
An inscription tells the history of this building. "This ALMSHOUSE Founded time immemorial for the maintenance of six antient Men and five Women was Endowed AD 1418 by JOHN STRECH Esqr and Rebuilt by HENRY DRAX and JOHN PITT Esqrs. AD 1741." There is a Sun Insurance Company Badge on the outside. Each fire insurance office had its own fire brigade and when a fire broke out, teams of firemen were guided by the badge. Only the company insuring the building fought the fire unless it threatened other buildings. The Sun Fire Office was established in 1710.
