Does anyone know anything about the 'almshouses' - how old they are, who built them and who was allowed to live in them?
Often wonder as I passed them on the bus.

They were built in 1898-89, paid for by a bequest from George Woofindin, a cutlery manufacturer, who also paid for the Woofindin Convalescent Home near Whiteley Woods (recently converted into very expensive flats!). There are 18 red brick cottages in a crescent, with the River Porter running through the grounds. I don't know how you get to live there, but the Convalescent Home was opened in Spring 1901, and open all year except 6 weeks around Christmas. It was "Built for the recovery of people (Sheffield & district given preference) who cannot leave home at their own expense and who can contribute 10/6 per week." (quote from the local paper at the time.) 10/6 (fifty two and a half pence) must have been quite a lot of money for a working family at the time.

Are those at hunters bar actually 'spinsters' cottages'?

Edit: no info on here (http://www.picturesheffield.co.uk/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.id=2123)

Thanks for replies - have lived here for 38 years now and I am still fascinated by the local history...gets lots of info from the other threads too.

You're welcome, and welcome to the Forum!:wave:

Originally posted by Robbinabobin
Thanks for replies - have lived here for 38 years now and I am still fascinated by the local history...gets lots of info from the other threads too.
have you had a look at this site? www.portervalley.fsnet.co.uk Worth a look if you're interested in local history of that area, particularly the past newsletters.:thumbsup:

I used to live on Cemetery Road. I was in the life boys. We used to take the gifts from Harvest festival to the alms houses at Hunters bar.