10th March 2009
A signal reminder of a society that has long gone;
this was the answer to problems;
We no longer have the need to stow already suffering people into these dark halls;
we now have all manner of mechanisms in place to care for the needy and the defaulters.
Next time anyone feels aggrieved at modern life, just ask yourself, 'would I prefer to live in this building and its regime?'
The Poor and Impoverished
It was long ago considered a part of the responsibilty of local councils to provide for the Poor of the Parish,
in various means, mainly in the form of direct gifts.
Eventually this became changed to one of the provision of a suitable place, beyond that of the provision of an
Almshouse to one of a place where the poor were
housed and they worked for their keep, a Workhouse.
The first such was set in the South Folly in 1768 as a joint Penwith responsibilty; then in 1789 there was
set up Penzance's own Workhouse at St Clare, in the area now occupied by the hospital.
In 1834, The Poor Law was introduced, and thus the Penzance Workhouse,
falling outside of the reqiuirements was closed when the new Penzance Union
Workhouse was opened in 1839 on Mount View, Madron.
It was commenced in 1838, designed by George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffatt of 20 Spring Gardens, London,
who had designed many other such buildings.
Built to accommodate 400 inmates, it was constructed for £6,050 on its construction.
The Poor Law required that all applicants for assistance, being able bodied had to work for their relief payment.
It was designed to prevent abuse of applications
from all but the really needy and destitute. It was all run under the order of efficiency and discipline, of work and the soul.
Run by Guardians and Assistant Commissioners, they quickly became regarded as bastilles in
the sense that they were a symbol of tyrrany. A not unfounded belief, as the policy of efficiency
equates as as Less Eligibility, and those who had been selected as
inmates were subjected to a regime that soon created despair, shame and hatred; family
members were separated in much the same fashion as later Nazi camps,
but with added inmates of the criminal, prostitution and insane background. All
personal identification was removed, clothing marked Union was provided,
they had to sell their personal property to the Guardians, so ended up with nothing
but a roof and work.
The Penzance pauper was masterfully provided and controlled for the sum of 10 pence a day,
half of the country's average cost to care for paupers.
In 1878 the newly formed Local Government Board instructed that women should be better examined as to background,
since so many illegitimate
children were being born under the care of the Workhouse.
Many were refused care, and those that were admitted were made to work harder. Doctors soon
became embroiled in the cost cutting exercise, where illnesses had to be verified as to its need
as far as medication were concerned became considered as
being extra to aid already given. It was soon seen that paupers were that way
because they were not careful enough in 'putting by for a rainy day'.
1930 brought the Public Assistance Institution, and it took control of the Workhouse;
In 1948 The National Health Service was introduced and The Workhouse was closed.
Part of the premises were occupied by The Madron Meat company for many years afterwards.
Raymond Forward
