The only visible reminder of The Union Workhouse in Abingdon is the wall which separated the workhouse grounds from the allotment gardens (now Box Hill Recreation Ground).
The workshouse was demolished in 1932 and replaced by the housing estate made up of Abbot Road, and Thesiger Road – named after Sir Frederick Thesiger a former M.P for Abingdon.
The local parish used to have to look after their own poor, and Union Workhouses were where groups of parishes clubbed together, in Victoria times, looking for a more cost effective way.
Elderly and infirm would we treated leniently: those fit and of working age would NOT be encouraged to stay too long. Life would NOT be made easy: families were separated on entry; women might work in the laundry; men break rocks for roads; and the children could see their parents for a short while at the weekend if everybody behaved.
(Sepia pictures taken during a recent visit to Southwell Workhouse near Newark on Trent.)
Another fascinating snippet…many thanks!!
Throughout her life, into the 1980s, my grandmother always referred to Abbot and Thesiger Road as ‘the workhouse estate’.
For those wanting to know more there is a mass of information about the Abingdon Workhouse at http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Abingdon/ .
Somewhere there is audio as well
audio from Abingdon Workhouse
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Liddiard/