added at the same time. The gateway and chapel are of ashlar masonry in a Georgian Gothick style. The hospital's investment income began to decline and from 1851 it made successive reductions to the resident widows' pensions. From 1882 it started to leave vacant almshouses unoccupied to save money and in 1892 parishes in London and Westminster complained that they were not being given their allocation of places at the hospital. In 1897 the Charity Commission found the hospital was housing only 16 widows, and by 1921 this number had fallen to 13. In 1920–22 the Hospital sold its lands and increased its income by investing the capital. By 1922 it had increased its residents to 25 and increased their pensions. In 1963 the chapel was restored. In 1966 the Hospital broadened eligibility to any poor woman over 55. Gifts from other charities, public bodies and private donations were invested in maintaining and improving the almshouses. By 1995 it provided 45 houses and four flats for widows and one house reserved for guests. The dwellings and gatehouse were designated as Grade II* listed in 1966, as was the chapel. School In the early part of the 19th century, most children from Froxfield who attended school did so in Little Bedwyn, Hungerford or Great Bedwyn. By 1871 a school had opened in Froxfield, but in 1884 it served only as an infants' school for children under six. It was rebuilt in 1885 to accommodate older children but was closed in 1907. A new school was built near the parish church and opened in 1910, taking children of all ages from five upwards, until 1948 when those over 11 were transferred to Marlborough Secondary Modern School. Falling pupil numbers led to closure of the school in 1963. Amenities The village has a public house, the Pelican Inn; the 18th-century building to the east of the village was originally a terrace of three cottages. There is a village hall. Notable people Lewis Evans (1755–1827), vicar of Froxfield from 1788 until his death, was also a mathematical master at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society as an astronomical observer. Constance Savery (1897–1999), a prolific writer of novels and children's books, was born at Froxfield while her father was the vicar. References External links Parish website Villages in Wiltshire Civil parishes in Wiltshire