EX-PUPILS from an historic site returned yesterday to give their verdict on a multi-million pound refurbishment scheme.
The 325-year-old Sir William Turner's Hospital, in Kirkleatham, Redcar, east Cleveland, operated as an educational centre for five years between 1937 to 1942, but the rest of the time it has provided social housing for vulnerable elderly people in the area.
Now, the building is undergoing an extensive refurbishment programme to bring its accommodation up to 21st Century standards.
And yesterday, the group of former pupils toured the 17th Century site and chapel accompanied by Peter Southeran, chairman of the board of trustees. They also inspected some of the new flats and talked to residents.
The group, whose average age is 75, were given free education during their time at the almshouses and one ex-pupil, Nancy Bendelow, returned to Redcar from her home in Australia as part of a pilgrimage back to the UK to see friends and family.
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