Woodside or Woodend
Woodend, or Woodside - these five almshouses are now demolished. Going
along Methley Lane, on the left, a track called Tommy Lane leads to Woodend
or Woodside (both names are used). Tommy Lane is reputed to be named after
a man called Tommy who was hanged, or committed suicide here. Up Tommy
Lane and round the corner on the right was the site of these almshouses.
They were built over two hundred years ago by Mexboroughs for widows of
the Estate workers and Estate farmers, who lived here rent-free. These
five were demolished in the late 1920s. The site then became part of the
grounds of the Estate Manager's house, and is now part of the grounds
of Methley Park Hospital.
Houses built at Woodend in 1936
This pair of semi-detached houses at Woodend were built in 1936. Stone
from the five demolished almshouses was used in the construction of these
semi detached houses.
Almshouses at Woodend with the Wheelhouse in background
This photograph c. 1910 shows three almshouses that are very similar to
the five that were demolished. They faced directly down Tommy Lane ie.
east. They have smaller gardens. The ladies stand at their doors. One
of these was occupied until her death in 1959, by Mrs Jackson, the woodman's
widow. After she died all were left empty and uncared for. The gardens
became overgrown and although the roof was in good condition, they began
to deteriorate.