Monmouth Poor Law Union facts for kids
 |
|
| Predecessor | Monmouth Workhouse |
|---|---|
| Formation | 11 July 1836 |
| Legal status | Defunct |
| Location | |
|
Region served
|
Parts of Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire, England |
The Monmouth Poor Law Union was a group formed in Monmouth, Wales, on 11 July 1836. Its main job was to help people who were very poor and couldn't support themselves.
Before this union, each local area (called a parish) had its own way of helping the poor. Often, this meant having a "workhouse" where people could live and work in exchange for food and shelter.
Contents
What Was a Workhouse?
A workhouse was a place where poor people could go to live and work. It was meant for those who had no other way to support themselves. The first known workhouse in Monmouth was on Weirhead Street. It was built around 1760 and served the area for about 100 years.
When the Monmouth Poor Law Union took over in 1836, this old workhouse became the Union Workhouse. It could house people from many different parishes.
The Poor Union's Area
The Monmouth Poor Law Union looked after people from many parishes in Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire. These included:
- Crick
- Cwmcarvan
- Dingestow
- Dixton with Dixton Hadnock and Dixton Newton
- English Bicknor
- Ganarew
- Llandenny
- Llandogo
- Llangattock-Vibon-Avel
- Llangoven
- Llanishen
- Llanrothal
- Llantilio Crossenny
- Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern
- Mitchel Troy
- Monmouth
- Newland
- Parc Grace Dieu
- Penallt
- Penrhos
- Pen-y-clawdd
- Raglan
- Rockfield
- St. Maughans
- Skenfrith
- Staunton
- Tregare
- Trelleck
- Welsh Bicknor
- Welsh Newton
- Whitchurch
- Wonastow, County of Gloucester English Bicknor
- West Dean
- Newland
New Buildings in 1870
| Monmouth Union Workhouse | |
|---|---|
Map Showing the 1870 Workhouse at its location close to the Cemetery in 1880
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Workhouse |
| Opened | 1870 |
| Cost | £10,000 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | G C Haddon of Hereford |
| Main contractor | H. P. Bolt & Co, Newport |
By 1868, the old workhouse was too small and crowded. So, it was decided that a new building was needed. A competition was held for the best design, and G. C. Haddon won.
The new Monmouth Union Workhouse opened in 1871. It was built to hold up to 200 people. It was located on Hereford Road and cost £10,000 to build. The new site had four main buildings: The Lodge, a receiving building, the main building, and an infirmary (a place for the sick).
These buildings stopped being a workhouse after 1932. Today, they are part of the classroom complex for Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls.
Life in the Workhouse
Life in the workhouse was very strict. When it became a Union workhouse, families were often separated. Husbands, wives, and children lived in different parts of the building. This was a big change from the older parish workhouses, where families often stayed together.
The people in charge of the workhouse were called "Guardians." For a long time, all the Guardians were men. The first woman Guardian was appointed in 1910.
Sometimes, there were disagreements about how the workhouse was run. For example, in 1900, the Guardians decided there would be no extra treats at Christmas. They wanted to make sure people didn't think the workhouse was a charity.
Images for kids
-
Monmouth Workhouse Principal building
-
Monmouth Workhouse Receiving building
-
Monmouth Workhouse Infirmary
