On Thursday August 8, a member of the Rotary Club of Ely, gave a sobering talk to the club at their meeting at Ely Bowls Club.

David Coventry's talk was about a visit he had made to the workhouse in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, owned by the National Trust.

This was the first workhouse built and the club was reminded that Ely, like many other towns and cities, had it's own workhouse behind the water tower.

Before the Poor Law in 1601, no help at all was offered to the poor, the sick and the elderly, other than from friends or family or the Church.

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After the Poor Law, parishes were required to collect a rate from wealthy property owners to fund support.

There was some resentment about this, for some people thought that the people asking for help were malingerers.

After the industrial age there were even more people out of work and needing support.

The Rev John Thomas Becher wrote a paper that suggested it would be cheaper to create workhouses so these were set up, the first at Southwell.

They aimed to improve the mental demeanor of the inhabitants and as there was the bare minimum of support, they were not attractive places so there was less likelihood of abuse of the system.

Families were segregated, the dormitories were crowded and the toilet arrangements outside were minimal.

The workhouse was managed by paid Master and Matron who could insist the inhabitants helped with the chores and upkeep of the building.

People from local parishes were referred by a 'returning officer' and upon entry their clothes and possessions were taken into storage and a uniform issued.

Vagrants were not allowed in but were housed in a separate building and made to work before leaving.

Inhabitants worked to a strict regime from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a break for a lunch of mostly boiled cabbage.

They were only allowed two days of rest per year: Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Some left of their own accord, often to seasonal work.

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Limited education was given to children.

Some members of the Rotary Club recalled the shame felt by ancestors who had had to go to the workhouse.

After this sobering talk members felt grateful for their own situations and looked forward to fundraising to help others in need.

The meeting ended by raising a toast to 'Rotary, and peace the world over.'

New members are always welcome to the club.

Contact info@rotaryclubofely.co.uk or Facebook: Rotary Club of Ely Cambridgshire.