19 minute read
THE UNION WORKHOUSE
The Bath Union Workhouse
There is a burial ground in Wells Road, Bath where 3,182 bodies were buried between 1858 and 1899 in unmarked graves. John Payne, whose great grandparents are buried there, explains the history and considers the need for a permanent memorial. Additional material by Aileen Thompson.
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The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act established a uniform system for the administration of welfare. This resulted in the building of the Bath Union Workhouse between 1836 and 1838.
The New Poor Law, introduced in 1834, was designed to reduce the total expenditure on poor relief, especially that given in people’s own homes and communities. Its introduction caused much debate, with some comparing conditions in the new workhouses to slavery and others insisting that when relief was given to poor people it should be in return for work, and that conditions in the workhouse should be no better than conditions of working families outside it.
The Bath Union Workhouse was built between 1836 and 1838 on Frome Road at Odd Down. The first chairman of the Bath Union Workhouse, the Rev. Thomas Spencer of Hinton Charterhouse, believed that while the workhouse should act as a deterrent through a strict regime, it would also provide training, enabling inmates to learn a trade to enable them to earn a living outside the workhouse.
The workhouse building was built to a standard design with three wings radiating from the central offices of the workhouse, linked to form a hollow hexagon. The open areas were used as recreation yards. There were day rooms, dormitories and work rooms, an infirmary, a kitchen and a laundry. Land was purchased south of Frome Road for gardens to grow food.
The workhouse was designed for 600, but as early as 1845 contained 758 adults and 374 children. On arrival families were broken up as men, women and children were housed separately. The workhouse was soon enlarged, with invalid wards added and in 1857 the so-called ‘lunatic wards’ for the mentally ill. A separate laundry and bakery were built in later years, the intention to reduce costs by employing pauper labour. Accommodation was also provided for the itinerant poor. Diets were simple and boring, beds were hard and everything was done as cheaply as possible. The most obvious discipline of the workhouse was time: getting up, eating and work all took place at the summons of the workhouse bell, which can still be seen – now silent – at the entrance to St Martin’s Hospital.
There were punishments for those who broke workhouse rules, such as by swearing or fighting. There were also rewards such as beer for inmates who took on responsibilities in the infirmary, laundry, kitchen and gardens.
Children from poor families ended up in the workhouse because they were abandoned by their parents or orphaned, and lessons were provided in the school rooms. School teachers were employed not just to teach the children but to supervise them from morning till night, including chapel on Sunday mornings. The majority of the girls later went into service; for the boys a wider range of apprenticeships were available, often based on the practical skills
Christmas Day in the Workhouse, c. 1890
Image: Cross Manufacturing Co Ltd
Workhouse inmate: William Wingrove 1819–1867
William grew up in Walcot and was a French polisher by trade. He married and had children, but his wife died, probably in childbirth. By the 1860s, William and two daughters were all living at Bath Workhouse. He died in 1867 at the age of 49. In 1871 Martha Wingrove, aged 28 and described as an imbecile, and Catherine (Kate) Wingrove, aged 32, described as a lunatic, were both still living in the Workhouse, though in the 1881 census they are both described as epileptic. Martha died later that year and was interred at the Burial Ground. What became of Kate is a mystery. What did it matter? They were only paupers...
The Workhouse bell
they had learned in the workhouse.
Within a few years of the building of the Bath Workhouse, it became apparent that the majority of inmates were simply not capable of work. In 1857 only 139,130 out of a total workhouse population in England and Wales of 843,430 were able-bodied. The remaining 700,000 were children, the old or the mentally ill. This imbalance meant that as the century moved on, the history of the workhouse overlapped more and more with the history of health and welfare provision.
The work of building a chapel for the workhouse began in 1843 and was completed in 1846. All inmates were expected to attend chapel on Sunday morning. Before 1847 the bodies of those who died in the workhouse were returned to the parish where they had lived. Once the chapel was built, burials took place in unmarked graves on the land next to the chapel. A total of 1107 bodies are buried there. In 1855 the Board of Guardians purchased a further field on the other side of Frome Road, adjoining Wells Road. Pauper labour was used to clear stone from the field and these stones were used to build the wall that is still there today. The new burial ground was opened in 1858, and 3182 bodies were buried there between 1858 and 1899 in unmarked graves.
The Workhouse Burial Ground is now open space in the care of the Parks Department at Bath and North East Somerset Council. It is still consecrated ground. The main workhouse buildings, including the Hexagon of 1838, have now been converted into housing, while some of the later infirmary buildings are used for NHS offices.
The names of the dead are in the list of burials carefully preserved and transcribed in the Bath Record Office in the vaults of the Bath Guildhall. My great-grandparents Charles and Ann Payne died in Bath Workhouse, and are buried in unmarked graves in the field on Wells Road, Odd Down, Bath, now known as Wellsway. The field was defined by rough grass –unloved and uncared for. Charles had come to Bath from Chewton Mendip to make his fortune. Clearly he failed.
In 1937 the workhouse infirmary became St Martin’s Hospital; other parts of the buildings were used to accommodate the elderly and chronically ill. In 1948 the hospital and the infirmary were combined into a single hospital. Older patients later in the 20th century continued to be fearful of St Martin’s Hospital, and especially its geriatric wards, because of the stigma of the hated workhouse.
I wrote a number of poems addressing the social and moral issues raised by what I called The Workhouse Dead (“the rotting leather ledgers/… list the money spent, the figures,/ but not the suffering/ of children, elders, the mad, the sick”). These were read on a series of walks between the city centre and the Burial Ground, hosted by myself and walking artist Richard White. From this emerged Richard’s proposal to adopt a ‘slow walking’ approach, honouring our workhouse dead by traversing slowly and carefully the field in which they were buried, as we read their names.
Each time we gathered, walkers brought flowers, left pebbles and later flags on sticks fluttering with the names of the dead on them; a ‘poor’ memorial evolved but we were no closer to having a permanent memorial. Cue Bathscape, Bath’s Lottery funded Landscape Partnership project. Working with Bathscape’s Community Projects Officer, Lucy Bartlett, we have been able to persuade the Parks Department to change the mowing pattern to allow wild flowers to flourish. There will be interpretation boards to tell locals and visitors about the history of the Burial Ground. We hope that one day there will be a simple permanent memorial here, designed in consultation with local people. Proceeds of sales of our booklet From Workhouse to Hospital have enabled us to set up a fund for that purpose.
My hope is that the field will become a place where youngsters will play, where family gatherings and picnics will take place, as well as being a place of thoughtful remembrance. Laughter as well as tears. n
Workhouse inmate: Sarah Papler (or Pepler) 1808–1893
A Gloucestershire girl, Sarah Papler married a farmer at Wotton-underEdge at a time when farming was in decline. In various censuses Sarah was living on the farm or working as a servant in Bath. By 1891 she was an inmate of Bath Workhouse, described as an 81-year-old pauper. She died two years later and was buried at the Workhouse on 23 November 1893. Her life, like so many in Victorian England, was an unavoidable progression through a life of poverty, from her birth to her end in the Workhouse.
Copies of From Workhouse to Hospital can be bought for £5 at the Museum of Bath at Work or the Oldfield Park Bookshop in Moorland Road.
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AUTUMN BEAUTY DROP
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OUAI Refresh Kit, £28
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A supersized Body & Hand Wash infused with fresh Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Created with meadow foam seed, the formula gently cleanses skin, helping to leave body and hands feeling conditioned and soft.
All products featured are available from the ground floor beauty hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol and online at harveynichols.com Coco and Eve Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops, £22.90
Get a gradual, natural, glowing tan whilst moisturising and plumping skin with Coco & Eve’s ultra-hydrating Sunny Honey Bronzing Face Drops. Just add 2–3 tanning drops to your daily moisturiser and boost it with self-tan benefits so you can dial-up your Bali bronze drop-by-drop.
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New Business in Bath Dr Lucy Facial Aesthetics
@drlucyfacialaesthetics
Dr Lucy has recently opened her clinic in Widcombe, Bath bringing her style of Facial Aesthetic techniques to her home town.
Lucy is a Practising dentist and has been for 23 years. Qualifying in 1998 she moved to Bath and has been here ever since.
Most dentists are perfectionists and Lucy is no exception. Her eye for detail means she has easily transferred her skills in Cosmetic Dentistry to the world of Facial Aesthetics.
She has been Practicing in the Cotswold town of Tetbury for many years, but now, living in Bath, she has decided to bring her Aesthetic techniques closer to home, creating a better work life balance. For those in the know, Widcombe is a buzzing area of Bath, close to the city centre.
Dr Lucy’s clinic offers a state of the art clinical environment but is comfortable and welcoming at the same time. It is discretely tucked away behind Widcombe Parade and has client parking.
The new clinic offers a range of treatments from Wrinkle Relaxing, to Dermal Fillers, Profhilo to skin care. Lucy is an Obagi Ambassador and prescribes the full range of prescription skin care.
She specialises in anti–ageing treatments but prides herself on making sure her clients don’t look ‘done’. Her motto is ‘good facial aesthetics shouldn’t be noticeable’. Blending facial features that affect a clients confidence is another area she’s passionate about. She also uses her dental knowledge to treat migraines and jaw problems.
Considering Cosmetic Treatments can be a difficult conversation to have with yourself. Our lines and wrinkles show how we have lived and laughed. Everyone will have them- there is no escape! But having little tweaks can take years off. Anti- wrinkle injections help ease your facial movements so your expressions are not as powerful. By temporarily easing the movement the wrinkles cannot form.
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LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH
Your body is amazing, and to keep it running as it should, it’s important to understand the basics of gynaecological health. Here, the Consultant Gynaecologists from Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital breakdown some of the issues you should be aware of to keep your body in good working condition.
Menstrual health
Periods will generally last for between 3 to 5 days, and occur every 21 to 35 days. Just over a third of people will develop period problems during their lifetime. Although longer or heavier than usual periods are not a sign of a problem, it needs to be assessed further, and bleeding in between periods, with intercourse or after menopause, could be a sign of cancer and medical advice should be sought promptly.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs due to the hormonal changes prior to periods and can result in significant emotional changes, which may also require specialist input. Some mild discomfort is common, but if you are experiencing severe pain with your periods (dysmenorrhoea) you may want to speak to your doctor.
Hormonal contraception can affect periods in various ways, and if required could also be used as a method of treatment. Most period problems can be evaluated during a consultation with a gynaecologist by reviewing your past medical history, performing an examination, and potentially including an ultrasound scan and biopsies.
Gynaecological cancers
Up to two thirds of gynaecological cancers can be prevented by risk reduction, screening and vaccination programme, and it’s important to remember that the outcome of a cancer diagnosis can be improved by earlier detection.
Ovarian cancer can be silent, but symptoms such as weight loss, nausea, vomiting, persistent bloating, abdominal distension or difficulty in breathing could all be a sign and should be taken seriously. Initial investigation requires an ultrasound scan and a CA125 blood test.
Womb cancer generally causes postmenopausal bleeding which should always be investigated. Outcomes of womb cancer are relatively good if detected and treated in the early stages. Ovarian and womb cancer can be hereditary, and if you have a strong family history of these types of cancers, as well as bowel or breast cancer, you should contact a specialist to discuss gene testing and prevention surgery.
Most cervical cancer occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 years. Not taking part in a screening programme when invited is the biggest risk of developing cervical cancer. Screening is important, even for people who have received the HPV vaccine. Most cervical cancer presents with bleeding in-between periods or after sex. Vulval cancer is relatively uncommon. Any ulcer, lump or bleeding from vulval skin should be promptly assessed. Precancer changes can cause soreness and itching and should also be checked by a specialist.
Menopause
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs, reducing levels of oestrogen hormone. The average age is 51 with a quarter of people experiencing severe symptoms. It occurs naturally or resulting from treatment, e.g. for cancer. Treatment is based on symptoms which can include hot flushes, insomnia, fatigue, joint ache, painful sex, anxiety, and forgetfulness. There has been much publicity about the risks of HRT (oestrogen replacement). HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer if used for 5 years, but this risk is lower than being overweight or excess alcohol intake.
HRT has considerable benefits too. Heart disease accounts for more deaths than cancer and starting HRT before age 60 is protective. Oestrogen can reduce the risk of dementia and protects the bones, reducing the risk of fractures due to osteoporosis. Not everybody needs HRT, however, individualised help is available for those who do.
At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, our team of Consultant Gynaecologists – Dr Jo Bailey, Dr Suvarna Mahavarkar, Miss Naomi Crouch and Mr Amit Patel – work closely together to offer a comprehensive service for our patients. As well as treating general gynaecological conditions, they each have their own specialties. Dr Bailey and Mr Patel both specialise in gynaecological cancers, while Dr Mahavarkar specialises in the treatment of related skin conditions, and Ms Crouch in adolescent gynaecology.
If you would like to book an appointment with a Consultant Gynaecologist at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, call 0117 911 5339, or visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.
CNM helped me achieve my dream career in nutrition
Kimberly Espinel, CNM Nutritional Therapy Graduate
I now have a successful business and work full-time as a food photographer and recipe developer. I do all this from home, working my own hours and I also get to spend lots of quality time with my son.
After working as an adoption and fostering social worker for many years, I took time off after I had my son. When I went back to work, things didn’t feel the same; my job was demanding and my work-life balance wasn’t right. I wanted a job where I could set my own hours and have the flexibility to spend more time with my son.
Food and nutrition had always been my
passion, so I went to an open day at the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) and decided to do the naturopathic nutrition diploma.
I loved that the course was part-time and spread over three years; it offered flexibility that other courses didn’t. CNM has a fantastic reputation and the college is conveniently located in central London.
Studying at CNM completely changed my life.
All the topics were incredibly interesting, especially the nutrition modules, and I loved the practical component of the in-clinic training. Doing mock consults was a fantastic experience. All the lecturers are so inspiring and knowledgeable. I also met some lovely people who I’m still in contact with.
I started my vegan food blog whilst studying
to build an audience and a catalogue of recipes to share with clients when I graduated. Thinking about the marketing and business side early on has been pivotal in my business’ success with my blog gaining a lot of traction from the start.
I realised food photography was my
strength so I’ve focussed my business around food photography and styling, and having my nutrition qualification has given me an edge and set my blog apart from others.
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I now work full-time as a food photographer
and recipe developer, and I also teach food styling and food photography. I do a lot of sponsored content and influencer work too, promoting products for brands.
My advice to anyone thinking about studying nutrition at CNM is to go for it as the knowledge you gain is invaluable. Even if you don’t want to practice, you can use it to improve your own health. The course gives you a solid foundation in how the body works, nutrition and healthy living.
Think about your end goal from the outset –
what do you want to achieve and how will your business look? When you know this, you can start brainstorming and put plans in place to make it happen.
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Geoff Don
