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?

From Saturday, 13th April, there will be an exhibition in Church Stretton Library entitled “Could Be Worse”, to share the results of our work. The book telling the tales of the inmates will also be on sale there on Saturdays, at just £5.

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.

The book containing the results of our work will be on sale in the library Visitor Information Centre on Saturdays throughout this month. It is being sold below cost price - at just £5. 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.

It is also available to buy from reception at Mayfair and in the Health and Wellbeing Centre; from Burway Books from May and for purchases by post it will cost £8.00 including p&p to mainland UK. To enquire, please email strettonworkhouse@gmail.com