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Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

 

Workhouses
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You are in [Places] [Workhouses]

There have been three workhouses in Hungerford - the first at what is now 21 Bridge Street (the "John of Gaunt" Inn); the second at Charnham Close in Charnham Street, and the third in Park Street.

In Medieval times, caring for the poor was the moral duty of the Church (and Monasteries). During the period of Elizabeth I and the "Old" Poor Law, each parish became responsible for the care of its poor, and the administration of the poor law forms a very significant part of parish records. Lying as it does on important roads, Hungerford experienced a constant stream of people passing through, often requesting alms. Designated workhouses were established during the eighteenth century. Follow this link for more information about Caring for the Poor.

The First Workhouse: The earliest Overseer's Accounts for Hungerford date from as early as 1727. They mention the workhouse, although the site of this building is not yet known for certain.

There are several references show that the building which now is the John of Gaunt Inn in Bridge Street was the site of the workhouse in Hungerford, at least between c.1764 and 1778.

The Second Workhouse: Around 1780, the workhouse moved to a larger building in Charnham Street. It had previously been the Green Dragon inn. A top storey was added c1790. At the back were workshops, and there were several cottages adjoining, and a cart shed. (The original Bridge Street workhouse became an inn at about the same time, although the exact date is unclear - but it is clearly labelled as "John of Gaunt" in the 1819 Enclosure Award map.)

The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act provided for Boards of Guardians to administer the Poor Law on a local basis, and also provided for groups of parishes to be amalgamated into "unions" for administrative purposes. The Hungerford and Ramsbury Union was formed. At the time the Union was formed there was a workhouse at Lambourn as well as one at Hungerford. The Hungerford  workhouse was in Charnham Street, the property known as "The High House", now Charnham Close.

It must have been in poor condition, and certainly inadequate for the number of paupers to be housed in it. Consideration was given to refurbishing it. However, in the end, all the paupers were transferred to the Lambourn workhouse "by cart", probably in March 1836.
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For the next ten years the Guardians continued to meet in the old Hungerford Workhouse. The Relieving Officer also lived there. Meetings were held weekly.

The Third Workhouse: In February 1846 it was resolved that a new workhouse should be built at Hungerford "at a sum not exceeding £8,500".

A suitable site in Park Street (then Cow Lane) was identified and purchased for £600. The site was suitable for a building of the "Stratton" design (named on the classic design of the workhouse at Stratton St. Margaret near Swindon).

Building started in October 1846, and was completed in 1848. The building was of three stories, with a squat "E"-shape, made of brick, with red stretchers and grey headers, under a roof of slate (all the same size). There was a walled area on the west side, which may have been an exercise area.

The separate chapel was originally to hold 300 people, but the plans were scaled down to 240 and then to 200. It was completed soon after the main Workhouse building, its walls being two feet thick, and made of knapped flint.
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For more information on the building of the Union Workhouse see The Building of Hungerford Workhouse 1846-48, by Eileen Bunt, 1988.

During the Victorian period, there were huge numbers of destitute people, both paupers and vagrants. Follow this link for a full account of the approach to vagrants in Berkshire .

Many systems were put in place to attempt to control the impact of vagrants on any one parish area. For example, ticket schemes were tried. The Parish magazine 1882 reports that following the reinstitution of the Ticket Scheme, it is interesting to note that "A Return has been issued of the number of Paupers receiving relief in the County of Berkshire at the beginning of the present year as compared with 1881 and 1880, and it will be seen that there has been a considerable diminution of pauperism. The in-door able-bodied paupers numbered 101 men, 145 women, and 121 children, against 172 men, 210 women and 222 children in 1881, and 165 men, 181 women, and 168 children in 188-. The not able-bodied inmates numbered 485 men, 229 women and 417 children against 601 men, 269 women and 433 children in 1881, and 609 men, 231 women and 453 children in 1880. The lunatic paupers numbered 104 against 116 in 1881 and 105 in 1880. In receipt of out-door relief, the able-bodied numbered 288 men, 611 women and 1547 children, against 315 men, 662 women and 1694 children in 1881, and 314 men, 676 women and 1650 children in 1880. The not able-bodied numbered 796 men, 1617 women and 244 children, against 815 men, 1635 women and 269 children in 1881, and 839 men, 1679 women and 269 children in 1880.
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The workhouse was built to accommodate up to 300 inmates, although the 1851 census lists only about 150. The 1891 Kelly Directory gives the population of Hungerford as 2965, "including 138 officers and inmates in the workhouse".

An interesting insight into the way of life for the paupers at the Union Workhouse can be gained by studying the Hungerford & Ramsbury Union Workhouse Regulations 1914.

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John of Gaunt Inn, Mar 2007
First Workhouse c1764-78

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Charnham Close, Jun 2007
Second Workhouse 1778-1836

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The Union Workhouse, Park Street, c1908
Third Workhouse 1848-1947

Workhouse Regulations 1914(w)Workhouse Regulations 1914(w)

Hungerford & Ramsbury Union Workhouse Regulations, 1914

From the Newbury Weekly News, 19th April 1934:
At the meeting of the committee on Monday last, Mr Allright said that they were never informed of figures concerning the institutions, but he had ascertained that at the Hungerford institution there were now 78 inmates with a staff of 30 to look after them, which seemed absurd.
He thought that the public assistance committee should consider very seriously whether the institution was worth running.
There was always something wanting to be done at Hungerford, which was a very scattered place and badly planned. Perhaps it might be made a place for mental deficients.
"If we go on spending money on it, some guardians will have to be certified and go there" he added.
There was no discussion.

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Working Drawings of Fire Survey of Hungerford Hospital - 1st & 2nd floor only Nov 1977

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Hungerford Hospital
Prior to closure in 1989

With the establishment of the N.H.S. in 1947, the Union Workhouse became Hungerford Hospital, and eventually a psycho-geriatric unit as part the St Birinus Hospital Group (including Fairmile Hospital).

The number of patients reduced during the 1980s, and Hungerford Hospital closed in 1989.

The buildings were eventually demolished in November 1995, the area being re-developed for Ramsbury Drive and Aldbourne Close.

See also:
- Hungerford Union: Guardians' Minutes 1835-40
- The Building of Hungerford Workhouse 1846-48, by Eileen Bunt
- Caring for the Poor

- "Something about Vagrants in Berkshire", Parish Magazine  Nov 1879
- List of Hungerford Workhouse Inmates, 1881
- Hungerford & Ramsbury Union Workhouse Regulations, 1914
- John of Gaunt Inn, 21 Bridge Street
- The Green Dragon, Charnham Street
- "A Gilbert Act Parish: the relief and treatment of the poor in the town and parish of Hungerford, 1783-1834" by D.S. Stafford, University of reading 1983
- Hungerford Overseers' Accounts, BRO

Updated: 17.6.2010

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