Church Stretton Workhouse 1881

“Could Be Worse”

The stories of the inmates of the Church Stretton Workhouse have not been told before. As researchers from the Local History Group, we wanted to shed light on these forgotten people. Who were they? Why were they there? What happened to them afterwards?

Perhaps one of the reasons why curiosity about the lives of the inmates has not previously led to further investigation, is because the Church Stretton Workhouse building no longer exists. The primary school is now on the site. Just one section of the building, the former Infirmary Ward, remains. It is incorporated – with no intention of irony - into the local leisure centre.

The Workhouse Infirmary building leading to the swimming pool on the left and to the leisure centre on the right. This photo is looking towards the West. The Long Mynd is in the background.

On the night of the census in 1881, there were 86 people noted as resident in our local Workhouse: 71 inmates, 12 vagrants and 3 staff members (Master and Matron and the schoolmistress).

We have traced their lives through what documentary evidence remains, to answer the three questions we started off with. The lives of the inmates were tough, but many of them persevered and survived to live a good life. We can only admire their determination, and welcome the luck that enabled them to achieve this. So - was Church Stretton Workhouse one of those dreadful workhouses with appalling conditions we hear about so often? Without giving too much away, we considered that the best title for our book was “Could Be Worse” and we hope that you find the stories - whether sad or inspiring – illuminating.

A talk, exhibition and book launch was held on 11th April, 2024 in the Silvester Horne Institute (SHI). This was an appropriate venue as it was built on the site of the old Parish Workhouse before the much larger Union Workhouse was built. The exhibition then transferred to the library until 30th April.

The book containing the results of our work is available to buy from reception at Mayfair and in the Health and Wellbeing Centre, for just £5. In this way, you are also supporting the local community as £1 will be donated to Mayfair for each copy bought there.

It is being sold below cost price. Our aim is to make our research available to as many people - particularly local people - as we can. It is not a commercial venture. We are very grateful to the Betton Fund of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society for making this publication possible. We are also grateful to the Church Stretton Town Council for matching the amount allotted to the project by the Local History Group. This money has been used to fund the use of copyright images and to mount the exhibition.

For purchases by post it will cost £8.00 including p&p to mainland UK. To enquire, please email strettonworkhouse@gmail.com