Speaker: Pauline Dolan. Warslow Village Hall, Wednesday February 1st 2023 at 7.30pm

(doors open 7.00 for refreshments)

‘The inmates were most liberally regaled with roast beef, plum pudding and good old ale…’

From the very start workhouses have been portrayed as a place where conditions were harsh and the poor were neglected, half-starved or even treated with extreme cruelty.   But was it was really like this?  Leek Union Workhouse opened in 1839 covering not just Leek and Lowe but the surrounding parishes, e.g. Warslow, Onecote and Rudyard.  Using information from its records and newspapers of the day, Pauline will give a different view of life within this workhouse where there was concern for, and even  kindness to, inmates including  visits to the zoo, theatre and New Brighton!

Since retiring Pauline has furthered her interest in local history, attending the local history course at the Keele University as well as its summer school in palaeography. She is part of the history research group for the community archaeology project at Under Whitle in Sheen and is a committee member of History Live.

Everyone is very welcome!

History Live is a friendly group which meets on the first Wednesday of the month from September to May (but not January) to listen to great speakers and enjoy sharing an interest in local history. Entrance is just £3 which includes refreshments especially our famous home bakes!  No booking is needed, just turn up!

To find out more contact Janet on 01298 84624, email: [email protected] or our website: www.historylive.co.uk.