.... 23 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 We've chatted about this place a time or two before. Here's some impressions, history and a few images of my last visit earlier this year. Southwell Workouse, Nottinghamshire Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo 04 188 Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Interesting article Stu. I will get to visit, one day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 I have the following book "The workhouse" By Norman Longmate.Which covers the development of the workhouse from the earliest days. If you go to Amazon books and type in workhouse there are more books on the subject. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 One of the most boring afternoons I ever had visiting this place. Was about four years ago, so hopefully it's improved since then, not much to see & never was worth the admission price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 A bloody sight more boring for the poor sods that had to live there.Hard to make a place of hardship and discipline into a fun day out I would have thought.Your admission fee would probably have kept a family of four for a year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted August 29, 2012 Report Share Posted August 29, 2012 Weren't looking for a fun day out. Intended to visit an historical building but there was not a lot to see there, I still maintain it was a rip-off. Also at that time photography wasn't permitted indoors, good job really as there was very little to photograph. How can you compare a twenty first century admission fee, to the living cost of people all those years ago is beyond me. Places like this & other historic buildings are tourist attractions, different people have different ideas why they go & visit. Not everyone is looking for a "fun day" out as you put it. Better still, knock the place down & build a new Tesco there !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 One of the most boring afternoons I ever had visiting this place. Was about four years ago, so hopefully it's improved since then, not much to see & never was worth the admission price. You're lucky some years ago you would have got in for free & would not have come out again for a long time if ever. Please take it for what it was in reality a prison for the poor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 You're lucky some years ago you would have got in for free & would not have come out again for a long time if ever. Please take it for what it was in reality a prison for the poor. I totally agree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zab 47 Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 We went last year and had a great time; on the day we went, there were a group of actors there re-enacting events and telling their life stories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 My wife has just offered to take me there(& leave me ) it now sounds like a worth while trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted August 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Well, it's been nice knowing you, Bubblewrap! Each to their own on these things I guess and that's fair enough. I previously visited the Workhouse three years ago with a couple of Canadian visitors. One of them claimed it be her most interesting visit whilst in the UK. Quite some compliment as their UK tour had taken in such places as London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle and York. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I was talking about what it was originally built for & not on what it is now. Workhouses were built to "save" money on poor relief and were not intended to be nice to be in. In general a workhouse as a place to live was a rule the last place you would want to live in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Yes, I realise that Bubblewrap, my post was not referring to yours but rather a general comment. Bit late now but there was an opportunity for free visits this last weekend with Ennglish Heritage's open weekend. There's normally a weekend or two every yeat that offers free admission. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 'Twas Christmas day in the workhouse, a time of goodwill & good cheer, all hearts were full of gladness, all bellies full of beer................. in walked the workhouse master, beneath thoes grimey walls, he cried 'A Merry Christmas Boys', the boys all shouted ba**s............................. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 A friend and I who formerly worked at a well-known large local printers some years ago often refer to it these days as the 'workhouse'. Not the merest patch on what those poor souls must have gone through, God bless 'em. The 'good old days' eh? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo 04 188 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I finally visited the Workhouse on Sunday with my Daughter ( #2 ), what a sombre experience. There were volunteers dressed as figures from the Victorian era, which gave it an authentic feel. The National Trust have done a terrific and ambitious job in rescuing and repairing the building. Everyone needs to be reminded how bad poverty once was......or is it just as bad today? It is ironic Stu, that I have practically taken the same photos as you, though we couldn't go into the cellars....Health & Safety!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Two books on the subject I can recommend. The Workhouse by Norman Longmate. The Workhouse Encyclopedia by Peter Higginbotom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo 04 188 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Yes, I have seen those titles Bubblewrap.....I will get round to buying them soon, they look really interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,683 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I must make a visit one day as I have an interest in the Southwell Union Workhouse as one of my ancestors was an inmate there more than once and indeed died there in 1879 of "Decay of natural carbuncle". He seems to appear in this story in The Notts Guardian , March 1878 . INSUBORDINATE PAUPERS . Joseph Thraves ,41, William Bucklow,70 and John Wilson ,69 three inmates of the Southwell Union Workhouse,were brought up charged with insubordination. William Shacklock,Master of the Workhouse,said the defendants , who were inmates,were set to work in the garden ,but on the previous day they refused to work until half past five o'clock in the evening . In cross examination,witness said he did not recollect Bucklow telling him that he was unable to work in consequence of his bad feet . Thraves alleged that he went away because Bucklow left off work,as he thought that if he remained , Bucklow would be more severely dealt with . Wilson denied objecting to work. Bucklow and Thraves were sent to Southwell gaol for seven days each but Wilson was discharged . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 The Nottingham Union Workhouse was demolished when the Victoria Station was built the replacement became part of the city hospital. It seems to me that it was a "crime" to be poor & be in the workhouse with the way people were treated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gibbo 04 188 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 You may like to visit this website, if you haven't already....the 1881 census articles are interesting, especially the descriptions of the inmates; idiot, imbecile, lunatic, dumb, not very pc! http://www.workhouses.org.uk/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,683 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 This list from the 1881 Census shows the age range of inmates from 2 months old to an 89 year old . Some were still there 10 years later on the 1891 Census . Residents of Union Workhouse, Upton, Nottingham Staff William SHACKLOCK M 54 M Master (Head) Master (Munic) Southwell, Nottingham Mary A. SHACKLOCK M 50 F Wife Matron (Munic) Oxford Elizth.A. SHACKLOCK 19 F Dau Visitor Southwell, Nottingham Nancy H. SHACKLOCK 17 F Dau Visitor Southwell, Nottingham Christian GROOMBRIDGE U 27 F Officer Schoolmistress Horton, Middlesex Mary A. SHERIDEN U 58 F Officer Nurse In Sick Ward Dublin Inmates William AASCLIFF ? U 66 M Inmate Shophand Ollerton, Nottingham Eliza ADAMSON U 10 F Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham George ADAMSON W 68 M Inmate Baker Mansfield, Nottingham George ADCOCK U 43 M Inmate Idiot Ossington, Nottingham Thomas ALLYATT 6 M Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham Martha APTON W 79 F Inmate Wellow, Nottingham Henrietta ARAM U 30 F Inmate Farnsfield, Nottingham Henry BADON U 66 M Inmate Servant Oxton, Nottingham George BELL U 68 M Inmate General Labourer Walesby, Nottingham John BERRIDGE W 66 M Inmate Farm Laborer Oxton, Nottingham Emma BLATHERWICK U 11 F Inmate Scholar Rotterstowe, Nottingham John BLYTON W 66 M Inmate Shoemaker Edingly, Nottingham Robt C BROOKS 8 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham Albert BULL U 14 M Inmate Scholar Halam, Nottingham Richard BUTLER W 85 M Inmate Farmer Geding, Nottingham Joseph CARTLEDGE U 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Epperstone, Nottingham Ellen CHAPMAN U 10m F Inmate Norwell, Nottingham George CHAPMAN 2 M Inmate Scholar Norwell, Nottingham Mary A. CHAPMAN U 19 F Inmate Servant Domestic Nettleton, Lincoln Elizabeth CHILDS U 13 F Inmate Domestic Servant Oxton, Nottingham Elizabeth CLAYTON W 70 F Inmate Walesby Woodhouse, Nottingham Thomas COBB U 70 M Inmate Hotel Porter Stockton On Tees Edward COOPER U 9 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham Horace COOPER 4 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham Mary A. COOPER U 50 F Inmate Servant Domestic Keeton, Nottingham William CROOKS W 75 M Inmate Farm Labourer Rampton, Nottingham Hannah CROSBY U 10 F Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham William CROSBY U 41 M Inmate Servant Formerly Idiot Marshhantt, Nottingham Mary CROSSLEY U 38 F Inmate Servant Domestic Kelham, Nottingham William CROSSLEY U 12 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham Harry DAYSMAN 6 M Inmate Scholar Smeeton, Nottingham Elizah DOUBLEDAY 2 M Inmate Scholar Upton, Nottingham Kate DOUBLEDAY M 27 F Inmate Sutton On Trent, Nottingham Eliza DUCHAFIELD U 3 F Inmate Scholar Nottingham Annie DUCHAFIELDS U 5 F Inmate Scholar Nottingham George DUCHEYFIELDS 7 M Inmate Scholar Mupton, Nottingham Joseph DUCHEYFIELDS U 9 M Inmate Scholar O...pton, Nottingham Mary ELLIS U 70 F Inmate Gamston, Nottingham Sarah FRYER U 68 F Inmate Rolterstow, Nottingham James GASCORGNE 7 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham George GREEN M 40 M No Occ Vagrant Walsall, Stafford Mary GREEN M 36 F Vagrant Walsall, Stafford Peter GREEN U 88 M Inmate Gardener Norwell, Nottingham Maria GRUNDY U 28 F Inmate Idiot Fiskerton, Nottingham William HAGGARD U 56 M Inmate Blacksmith Edwinstowe, Nottingham William HALBURN U 60 M Inmate Servant Farm Nottingham Amy HALE U 17 F Inmate Servant Domestic Southwell Samuel HANAP M 79 M Inmate Servant Formerly Mittson, Nottingham John HANCOCK W 77 M Inmate Framework Knitter Grathorpe, Nottingham James HAYWOOD W 70 M Inmate Framework Knitter Southwell, Nottingham Henry HAZARD W 77 M Inmate Farm Laborer Cromwell, Nottingham John HIGHFIELD U 47 M Inmate Ag Lab Laborer Boughton, Nottingham William HODSON W 77 M Inmate Farm Laborer Weston, Nottingham Braisly HOPKINS 5 M Inmate Scholar Fiskerton, Nottingham Thomas HOPKINSON 12 M Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham George IARGER ? U 68 M Inmate Groom Nottingham Mary JANSON U 8 F Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham John JOHNSON W 83 M Inmate Farm Laborer Collingham, Nottingham Sophia KEMP U 5 F Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham Thomas KENDAL W 89 M Inmate Blacksmith Gamston, Nottingham Samuel LACY W 79 M Inmate Farm Laborer Laxton, Nottingham John LAMBERT U 41 M Inmate Imbecile Norwell, Nottingham Henry B. LONG U 12 M Inmate Scholar Gamston, Nottingham Frances LUCAS M 56 F Inmate Kneesall, Nottingham John MALTBY U 58 M Inmate Joiner Southwell, Nottingham Mary MALTBY W 80 F Inmate Winkbourne, Nottingham Mathew MELLORS W 70 M Inmate Joiner Southwell, Nottingham Matilda MELLORS U 40 F Inmate Lunatic Southwell, Nottingham George MULION W 86 M Inmate Gardener Southwell, Nottingham Levi NEWHAM U 24 M Inmate Flok Framework Knitter Lambly, Nottingham Ellen NEWSTEAD U 70 F Inmate Grasthorpe, Nottingham Mary OLIVANT W 88 F Inmate Cotham, Nottingham William PARNHAM U 35 M Inmate Farm Laborer Upton, Nottingham James PEARSON 2 M Inmate Scholar Retford, Nottingham Selina PEARSON U 28 F Inmate Servant Domestic Egmanton, Nottingham Henry PERCIVAL W 82 M Inmate Farm Laborer Repton, Derby Joseph PLUMNER U 55 M Inmate Ag Lal Laborer Norwell, Nottingham Mary RAWATH U 24 F Inmate Idiot Southwell, Nottingham Frank RAWSON U 11 M Inmate Scholar Belper, Derby John RAWSON 9 M Inmate Scholar Belper, Derby Elizabeth RHODES U 78 F Inmate Lunatic Weston, Nottingham William RICHARDS U 64 M Inmate Gardener N D Kelham, Nottingham Christopher ROSE W 72 M Inmate Farm Laborer Ollerton, Nottingham Robert RUSHTON U 64 M Inmate Gardener N D Elston, Nottingham George SHAW 8 M Inmate Scholar Sutton On Trent, Nottingham Elizabeth SNAITH U 47 F Inmate Servant Domestic Broughton, Lincoln Jane SNOWDEN W 65 F Inmate Laxton, Nottingham William SOUTH W 77 M Inmate Farm Laborer Baroby, Nottingham Anne STAFFORD U 17 F Inmate Servant Domestic Southwell, Nottingham Harry STAFFORD 6m M Inmate Southwell W H, Nottingham Thomas STOCKS U 56 M Inmate Farm Laborer Warsop, Nottingham George TALBOT U 14 M Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham Jane TAYLOR W 81 F Inmate ... Southwell, Nottingham Joseph TAYLOR W 65 M Inmate Farm Labourer Weston, Nottingham Kate ULYATT U 4 F Inmate Scholar Southwell, Nottingham Ann VOCE U 39 F Inmate Rotlestow, Nottingham Sarah A. VOCE U 7 F Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham William VOCE 9 M Inmate Scholar Southwell W H, Nottingham Elizabeth WARD U 31 F Inmate Servant Domestic Fiskerton, Nottingham George WARD 6m M Inmate Southwell W H, Nottingham Joseph WASS U 66 M Inmate Basket Maker Leicester Mary A. WASS W 70 F Inmate Mansfield, Nottingham Elizabeth WELLS U 22 F Inmate Hockerton, Nottingham Albert WESTERMAN 5 M Inmate Scholar Nottingham Hannah WESTERMAN U 11m F Inmate Wakefield, York Henry WESTERMAN 7 M Inmate Scholar Nottingham Olga WESTERMAN M 32 F Inmate Barton Joyce, Nottingham William WESTERMAN 4 M Inmate Scholar Nottingham Joseph WIBBERLY W 81 M Inmate Farm Laborer Calverton, Nottingham John WILSON W 72 M Inmate Farm Laborer Bagthorpe, Nottingham Eva WYLDE U 2 F Inmate Eagle Hall, Lincoln Mary WYLDE U 24 F Inmate Servant Domestic Norewood Havre Southwell, Nottingham Minnie E. WYLDE U 3m F Inmate Southwell W H, Nottingham Total residents: 119 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob.L 1,090 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I remember my parents saying they'd send me to Bagthorpe (the workhouse where the City Hospital now stands) when I misbehaved as a child. Strange how that connotation lasted long after the workhouse closed. As for the census return, amazing how many of those surnames seem to still be common around Nottingham. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,683 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 According to the 1891 Census on Freecen , the surname of the Master .......Shacklock seems to be an almost entirely Nottingham name (apart from one or two in Derbys and Lincs ) Edit: Actually that Freecen 1891 Census ,doesn't encompass all counties and looking on this site , that analyses the 1881 Census there are also quite a lot of Shacklocks in Yorks too http://www.britishsurnames.co.uk/surnames/SHACKLOCK/1881census Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted February 23, 2017 Report Share Posted February 23, 2017 I quite often read up on the 'Workhouses' in England, and I try to imagine what life was like for the poor souls who had the misfortune to end up there. I have never yet read one that doesn't leave me cold.  Yesterday I was again researching the subject; as Chris, W-ton born and bred had no idea that the hospital that we visit so often was once the site of a WH, part of the building still stands.  I got to delving again and added this link for you about Nottingham Workhouses. Whilst researching my family tree, I discovered that some of my ancestors ended up in the WH, for what reasons I don't know, but I can only feel great sadness and pity for them. Sorry If I have added the link before, but I don't think it hurts to remember how hard times, took some ordinary people, like you and me into such soul destroying institutes. Some of the living conditions described in this account are unimaginable. Read, and thank goodness, we were not born in those times  Link added by Gibbo on #21   http://www.workhouses.org.uk/ Also I have added this link. .http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Nottingham/     1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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