The workhouse

The workhouse has earned its place in English social history as the last resort for the poor and destitute, immortalised by Charles Dickens in his novel Oliver Twist that was written against the background of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 which ended supplemental dole to the impoverished and forced husbands, wives and children into separate institutions in the name of utilitarian efficiency.

The welfare and relief of the poor had always posed a problem for society and by the early 19th century it was clear that the existing system needed drastic revision. The overseers of the poor in each parish were responsible for giving relief to deserving cases but the burden on the rates was becoming heavy and the relatively easy terms on which men without an adequate wage could get financial help from public funds was being regularly abused. The government therefore decided to impose a more rigid procedure and the new legislation decreed that able-bodied men who could find no work had no option but to enter the workhouse, taking their families with them although in some cases, children were boarded out with foster parents. 

This was the main principle of the act that also required parishes to be grouped together as unions with a workhouse for each. Bourne Poor Law Union was formed on 25th November 1835 and to supervise the workhouse and the local administration of the new law, a Board of Guardians was elected from the district and the government, a total of 44 in number and representing 37 constituent parishes, and they lost no time in establishing the system that became operative before the end of 1836.
The town already possessed a workhouse that stood in North Street near the junction with Burghley Street which was then called Workhouse Road but this was too small to cater for the new legislation and so a new building was planned at the end of St Peter's Road.

The Bourne workhouse was built in St Peter's Road in 1836 at a cost of £5,350 with room for 300 paupers. The premises were converted for use as a mental hospital in 1930 but closed down 70 years later and in 2001, the building was demolished and the site is now used as a car park for the printing firm Warners Midlands plc.

The 37 parishes and townships covered by the Bourne Union extended to over 106,934 acres of land and in 1851 included 22,362 inhabitants. The total average annual expenditure of the parishes during the three years preceding its formation was £8,506. In 1838, their total expenditure was only £4,256 but in 1855 it amounted to £8,965. The workhouse was designed by Bryan Browning, the architect responsible for the Town Hall at Bourne and the House of Correction at Folkingham, and was built in 1836 at a cost of £5,350 with room for 300 paupers but was rarely full because admission was not encouraged by members of the Board of Guardian who met very Thursday to determine policy. 

They enforced a strict regime in a bid to encourage the poor to seek employment rather than live in such grim and uncongenial surroundings. In 1841, there were only 84 inmates and 178 in 1851 when the census was taken. In 1881, the workhouse had a total of 123 officers and inmates and the guardians were meeting once a week to perform their duties. The staff included a master and matron, usually a husband and wife team approved by the board, a medical officer, chaplain, schoolmaster, and schoolmistress to assist with the welfare of the inmates who were not generally treated with much sympathy.


Workhouse location and layout from OS Map 1903

Productive work was not encouraged, rules were strict and the official policy of economy left no room for luxuries. An example of the conditions that prevailed can be found in the workhouse accounts which indicate that 5p per head per day was spent on the inmates and that included clothing. In addition, a great deal of outdoor relief was still provided to paupers in their homes without them being forced to enter the workhouse.

There was a great resistance to entering the workhouse or even from accepting relief from the parish and some who could not face the stigma took drastic action, as in this news report from the Stamford Mercury on Friday 12th May 1871:

On Monday morning last, a report was circulated at Baston that John Newcomb, 77 years old, had attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a large pocket knife. He has been ill for several months and the fear of having to go to the parish for relief after his sick pay from the club is discontinued has preyed upon his mind, it is thought, and caused him to commit the rash act. He is under medical attendance and may probably recover.

Nevertheless, poverty was so widespread that overcrowding became a problem which was exacerbated by the number of tramps seeking an overnight stay. A report from the workhouse master, Alfred Yates, to the Board of Guardians on 29th April 1892, said that there was insufficient accommodation for male vagrants. Upon several occasions, the female ward and the two receiving wards had been occupied by men during the night. The board decided that despite the situation, the master should take in as many vagrants as he could accommodate and if there was insufficient room, then they should be given tickets to enable them seek lodgings in the town. 

There was an improvement in the food however on special occasions such as the royal wedding on 7th July 1893 when the Duke of York married Princess May in the Chapel Royal at St James' Palace in London. The Board of Guardians decided that by way of celebration, instead of receiving their usual oatmeal and gruel, the inmates would be served with a breakfast of tea, coffee, cocoa and bread and butter, a meat dinner and a pint of beer for the men and a half a pint for the women, with bread and butter and plum cake for their tea. The men would also be given an ounce of tobacco each. The workhouse master, Mr Alfred Yates, assured the board that such provisions would be more than welcome because he did not think there were any teetotallers among the inmates although the women preferred tea to beer.

There were also gifts to the inmates from the local gentry and on 11th August 1874, eighty of them were given an afternoon picnic in Bourne Wood by Baroness Willoughby, from Grimsthorpe Castle, and in the evening they were entertained by the Bourne Drum and Fife Band, returning home about 9 pm, "thoroughly pleased with the day's treat", according to the Stamford Mercury. There was more generosity in October 1898 when Sir John Lawrance, of Dunsby Hall, sent 10 braces of partridges from one of his shoots to be cooked for their dinner.

In 1895, the Board of Guardians decided at their fortnightly meeting that the old men in the workhouse should be allowed an ounce of tobacco a week, jokingly referred to by members as "the fragrant weed". Tenders for the supply of the tobacco were considered, the highest price being 3s. 6d. per lb. (16 oz.), and two firms tendered at this figure, one sample being light and and the other dark. The samples were carefully examined by the guardians and a most amusing discussion took place, as reported by the Stamford Mercury on Friday 11th October under the heading "The Pauper's Pipe", which reveals the patronising attitude they had towards the workhouse inmates:

One of the guardians urged his colleagues "to let them have it good" on the grounds that it was the only comfort the old men had and that the tobacco was worth its money if only for keeping the moths out of the inmates' clothes. (Laughter). The chairman: "They like it strong, gentlemen. They have been used to it all their lives." A proposition was then made that the dark sample be accepted on the grounds that it was "strong and full of juice". (Laughter). An amendment was moved in favour of the light sample. Five voted on either side and the chairman was then called upon to give a casting vote. He first examined the samples and then said he should decide in favour of that which was "strong and full of juice". The 3s. 6d. tender for dark tobacco was accordingly accepted.

The decision by the guardians to allow men over 60 years of age an ounce of tobacco a week subsequently received a great deal of favourable press coverage, both in London and the provinces, because, as the Stamford Mercury reported, "only two other workhouses in the country, one in Cornwall and another in the north of Scotland, have hitherto granted the aged paupers the privilege of the pipe".

Workhouse children in 1900

Children from the workhouse in Bourne are pictured in the foreground, all dressed in their distinctive uniforms, taking part in one of the public gatherings in the market place, circa 1900.

Conditions at the workhouse improved slowly with the times and towards the end of the 19th century, it became necessary to appoint a full time nurse to supervise medical care among the inmates. The situation was causing particular concern in July 1898 during a visit by Mr H Stevens, the Local Government Board Inspector, who found two men in the sick ward under the care of another inmate. He told the Board of Guardians that an experienced nurse was absolutely necessary and the Medical Officer of Health, Dr James Watson Burdwood, was instructed to appoint one immediately but in return, he insisted on improvements to the sick ward which he said was in a most unsatisfactory state and his wishes were subsequently carried out.

Apart from providing for the poor of the parish, the workhouse also catered for tramps passing through the district and who received lodging and a meal of bread and gruel for perhaps one or two nights in return for some menial work such as chopping wood or sweeping floors. These vagrants had been known to cause trouble, and even to bring lice into the workhouse, and as a result, the Guardians decided on 6th February 1868, that everyone should be searched and given a bath before before being admitted.

Tramps were a familiar sight on the roads of Britain after the First World War, many of them wearing their campaign medals, and an indication of the numbers seeking help can be found in the reports of the Board of Guardians from that time. During a two-week period in April 1926 for instance, 323 vagrants had been given assistance with 40 seeking food and accommodation on one night alone. This stretched the resources of the workhouse to the limit and as a result of the high numbers, the board ruled that they could stay for only one night and must move on next morning.

The social disgrace of the workhouse system remained well into the 20th century and today it is remembered in folklore and literature as a place synonymous with hunger and poverty. Improvements in social conditions brought about its gradual decline and by 1905, there were only eight officials in charge of 87 inmates and the guardians were meeting only once a fortnight. Other charities sprang up, providing relief for the poor and in 1908, a Royal Commission tried to end the stigma of poverty with the establishment of a Public Assistance Authority and the creation of new social services in the years following the First World War meant that the days of institutional assistance were over.

In 1930, the workhouse became known as Bourne Public Assistance Institution and was also known as Wellhead House, becoming a hospital for the mentally handicapped and the main building was re-designed for its new role.

The Board of Guardians pictured outside the workhouse in Bourne after one of their fortnightly meetings circa 1905.

 

CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE WORKHOUSE
- from the pages of the Stamford Mercury

The inmates of the Bourne Union-house have been variously entertained during the festive season. On Christmas Day they had the usual treat of roast beef and plum pudding, &c; and on New Year's Day, by the liberality of Lord Aveland, they had a further treat; and on Monday last an entertainment and a Christmas tree were supplied them, the Bourne Amateur Minstrels having given towards it £1 4s., part of the profits realised by their entertainment at the Corn Exchange on the 20th ult. During the evening the amateurs repeated the entertainment before the inmates, who were highly gratified with the performances and the presents from the Christmas tree. On the motion of Mr Jenner, seconded by the Rev George Parkinson, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Bourne Amateur Minstrels. The whole affair was a successful and pleasant one. - Friday 11th January 1878.

CHRISTMAS TIDE

On Sunday, at the Abbey Church and all the Free Churches, Christmas services were held and appropriate hymns were included in the musical portion of the service. On Christmas-day there were celebrations of the holy communion at the Abbey Church. At Matins the preacher was Rev E H Fletcher. At the Wesleyan Church there was the usual Free Church Christmas morning service, which was conducted by Rev J A Halfpenny, Mr W Goy presided at the organ, and the collection was on behalf of the Butterfield Hospital. The inmates of Well Head House had a fine time on Christmas-day. The various rooms had been tastefully decorated and presented a cheerful appearance. The special diet included pork-pie for breakfast; roast beef, roast pork, hare, and plum pudding for dinner; plum cake and jam for tea. Amongst those present at the dinner were Rev J A Halfpenny (religious instructor). Major C W Bell (clerk), Mr W Kelby (vice-chairman), Rev J Carvath, Miss Bell (Guardian), Dr and Mrs Galletly, Mrs C W Bell, and Mr W H Smith. The children were regaled with a Christmas-tree and in addition there was a considerable quantity of toys for the children, sweets for the women, and tobacco for the men. - Friday 28th December 1923.

CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT THE WORKHOUSE

The usual weekly service conducted by the Religious Instructor (Rev J  A Halfpenny) at Well Head House took the form of a Christmas service on Friday evening. The members of the congregational Young People's Fellowship attended, and sang Christmas hymns, which were accompanied by Mrs. Halfpenny. The visitors provided tobacco for the men and sweets for the women and children. At the conclusion of the ordinary service in the Board-room, the visitors went to the sick wards, and rendered the Christmas hymns to the inmates of those wards. The thanks of the inmates were voiced by Mrs. Hancock, the matron. - Friday 28th December 1923.

LITTLE BOY'S THANKS

At the fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians on Thursday, the House Committee reported that there were 82 inmates in the workhouse, and that during the fortnight there had been 147 vagrants relieved. The House Committee recommended that letters of thanks be sent to the following, who had sent gifts for the inmates during Christmas: Kesteven Blind Society, Mrs T M Baxter, Miss Chamberlain and pupils of Stamford House School, Dr and Mrs Galletly, Mrs H A Sneath, Miss Cross, Mr C A Smith, Mrs J H Berry, Cannon Grinter, Messrs Lee and Green, Mrs J T Holmes, Miss Bell, Mrs O Pearson, Mr E B Binns, Mr C W Bell, and Mr J  Mawby. The Clerk read a letter from an eleven-year-old boy inmate who wrote that all in the House had a happy Christmas, and wished the Board a bright New Year. He referred to the lovely toys which Santa Claus had brought them, and added that the Matron had said that if they were all good they would have a New Year's party. The letter concluded: "From one of the grateful little boys." The Board was highly pleased with the letter. - Friday 12th January 1923.

A HAPPY TIME FOR POOR LAW INMATES

Outside attractions were scarce during Yuletide, owing to the snow and gales. On Christmas morning, a comic football match could only be partially carried out, as several of the players from the surrounding villages could not put in an appearance owing to the wretched weather. At the Abbey Church and all the Free churches, seasonal services were held, retiring collections being taken on behalf of Bourne Butterfield Hospital. The inmates of Wellhead House had their usual Christmas fare, and at the mid-day meal, the staff were assisted by Supt. Duffin, Rev Glyn Morgan (religious instructor), Mr W Kelby and Miss Bell (members of the Board of Guardians), Mr C W Bell (clerk), and Mr W E Venters. A Christmas tree provided by Mr E B Binns, was loaded with toys purchased with money contributed by the Guardians and friends. The premises had been tastefully decorated by the Matron (Mrs Hancock) and staff. - Friday 30th December 1927.

 

A POPULAR WORKHOUSE MASTER

The position of workhouse master was an important one and those who filled it were often pillars of the community, unlike the harsh and despised officials depicted in Victorian literature.
The high esteem in which some were held is amply illustrated by Mr Alfred Yates who died at the age of 60 in April 1910. He had been in charge of the Bourne Union for almost thirty years and had previously been in charge of the union at Toxteth Park in Liverpool and before that had served as master of the workhouse in Leeds. He and his wife Elizabeth were appointed master and matron at a special meeting of the Board of Guardians on 8th September 1880 when applications from 18 other couples were considered after interviews and a check on their testimonials. Their agreed salary was £75 per year plus food and accommodation. At the same meeting, three applications were considered for the position of workhouse nurse and Mrs Harriet Miller of Doncaster was appointed at a salary of £20 a year plus food and board.
After moving to Bourne, Yates became well known in the district and took an active part in many social functions. He regularly played cricket for the town and often acted as umpire and he was one of the founders of the Bourne Horticultural Society and later a principal exhibitor and prize winner. Mr Yates was also fond of fishing as a pastime and an active member of the Bourne Angling Association.
But his main interest was in freemasonry and he was a prominent member of the Hereward Lodge in Bourne to which he was strongly attached and had held various offices including Worshipful Master to which high honour he had been twice elected, in 1896 and again in 1909. For many years he was also a member of the Abbey Church choir and until his health began to fail, he was one of the more regular attenders. 
Yates is buried in the town cemetery and when the funeral cortege passed by, the blinds in all of the houses along the route were drawn as a mark of respect and his friends followed the hearse on foot through the streets to the graveside. His wife Elizabeth survived him by 40 years and died at the age of 95 in 1950 when she was interred in the same umarked grave.
Reporting his death, the Stamford Mercury newspaper said: "His passing has come as a great shock to his family and to a large circle of friends. He always endeavoured to treat his inmates with kindness and sympathy whilst he was also regarded by the Board of Guardians as an excellent officer."

 

WHEN THE WORKHOUSE MASTER WAS A MRS

The workhouse was usually controlled by a master and matron, invariably a husband and wife team, and in the male-dominated society of the time it was extremely rare to find the job in the hands of a woman alone but that is exactly what occurred at Bourne.
When Alfred Yates died in 1910 (see box above), the posts of master and matron were advertised and eventually filled by Sidney Hancock and his wife Margaret. Mr Hancock had joined the poor law service on leaving the army, serving nine years with the colours, seven of them in India with the 21st Lancers, and had retired with the rank of sergeant. On moving to Bourne, he soon took a keen interest in the local community, becoming captain of the Bourne Rifle Club and a prominent worker on the committee of the Bourne Horticultural Society and he was also a successful exhibitor at their shows. He was also well liked in the workhouse and in the town.
But his health deteriorated and after several months of illness, he died on Sunday 24th January 1915 at the age of 42. Doctors decided that death was due to an "an internal complaint" and the local newspaper recorded the standing he had achieved in the town during his short time as workhouse master:
"As a public servant he had earned the respect and esteem of those with whom he came into contact, whilst his treatment of the inmates in the house had won their gratitude. No more eloquent tribute of this could be found than the spontaneous expression of the inmates at the Christmas festivities. He frequently arranged concerts during the winter months and the entertainments were very much appreciated. His premature death came as a shock to his many friends in the locality and on all hands there are expressions of deepest sympathy for Mrs Hancock in her bereavement."

The funeral was held at the Abbey Church and afterwards he was buried at Bourne cemetery where there were a large number of floral tributes including one from the Board of Guardians. Prior to the funeral, the workhouse chaplain, the Rev Dr Arthur Madge, conducted another service attended by the inmates of the workhouse.
The Guardians immediately started trying to find a married couple as a successor to the Hancocks but Mrs Hancock was determined to keep her job and took the unprecedented step of writing to the Board, thanking them for their kindness and consideration following her husband's death and asking them to appoint her as Chief Officer with a master's clerk to assist.

"In view of my past experience, I feel confident of being able to manage the house", she wrote. There was some opposition but a suggestion that a new master and matron be found was rejected and Mrs Hancock was appointed with a salary of £60 a year (almost £3,000 by today's values), a £5 increase on the usual rate, with £40 a year for an assistant master to be appointed "the latter to be over 40 years of age".
She proved to be extremely efficient in her job, making many changes to the benefit of the inmates. Many regarded her as a strict disciplinarian but she was credited with making living in the workhouse more like a home. To many of the inmates, she had a heart of gold and she herself was proud of having brought hundreds of babies into the world during her 26 years there.
Mrs Hancock served as matron until 1936 by which time the workhouse had been re-designated Bourne Public Assistance Institution and was also known as Wellhead House. When she retired, the Board of Guardians presented her with a large tray to mark her years of service. On leaving, she took a boarding house in Scarborough before retiring fully to live in Preston. She died in the late 1950s at the age of 90 and although she had bought the space to be interred with her husband in Bourne cemetery, it was not taken up and she is believed to be buried in Lancashire.
 

See also The workhouse children

 

The Bourne Union covered the following parishes and populations (1851):

Bourne district:

Haconby 454
Morton 938
Edenham 670
Bourne 3,717
Witham-on-the-Hill 298
Manthorpe 106
Toft & Lound 231
Carlby 349
Thurlby 799

Corby district:

Careby 108
Little Bytham 573
Castle Bytham, Holywell
Aunby & Counthorpe 131
Creeton 103
Swayfield 383
Swinstead 490
Corby 258
Irnham, Hawthorpe
& Bulby 174

Deeping district:


Baston 863
Langtoft 701
Market Deeping 1,294
Deeping St James 1,849
Deeping Fen 1,098

Aslackby district:


Aslackby 492
Kirkby Underwood 185
Folkingham 763
Laughton 69
Horbling 550
Billingborough 1,048
Sempringham 49
Birthorpe 56
Pointon 490
Dowsby 215
Rippingale 661
Dunsby 203

TOTAL 20,368

See also St Peter's Hospital     The workhouse children

Christmas in Bourne

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