The Site of the Union Workhouse - Walker Street, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire - UK Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The Site of the Wellington Union Workhouse, is located on Walker Street. Wellington had a workhouse by at least 1748 when the poor were "farmed" by a tailor named Thomas Hazlehurst who received a quarterly payment in return for providing inmates with food, clothing, medical care, and — if required — burial (Baugh et al, 1985). He also obtained income from the inmates' labour. The workhouse was used from 1748 by the parish of Newport and in in 1750-51 by Berrington. The workhouse house up to 56 inmates in 1776, and in November 1797 the residents comprised 10 men, 14 women, and 20 children. The number of inmates fluctuated considerably, from 186 in April 1801 down to only 39 in October 1802. In 1797, the workhouse was relocated from Street Lane to the southern side of Walker Street.

Wellington Poor Law Union was formed on 4th June, 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 19 in number, representing its 11 constituent parishes. The Wellington Board of Guardians retained and enlarged the old Walker Street workhouse to accommodate 160 adult paupers, while up to 100 children were housed at the former Ercall Magna parish workhouse, at Waters Upton.

From 1836, the union's offices were located at Walker Street. In 1897, the Guardians acquired new adminstrative premises at Edgbaston House also on Walker Street, later a solicitors' offices.

The Walker Street workhouse was later occupied by the Union Brewery, and some of the surviving workhouse buildings now form part of the Wellington Library.

Type of Historic Marker: Town Marker Historical Marker Issuing Authority: Rotary Club of Wellington Related Website: [Web Link] Give your Rating: Age/Event Date: Not listed

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