The Union Workhouse, later The Bridge Home

 

SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY

by Janet Gyford, updated August 2003

See also   http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Witham/
This is by Peter Higginbottom who is a specialist in the history of workhouses and has taken a particular interest in Witham.

See also the post on  “Bridge Home architects’ report 2003, (without assessment)” et al.


 THE WITHAM UNION WORKHOUSE, c.1838-80

 Built under the ‘Poor Law Amendment Act’ of 1834, which required the amalgamation of parishes into Unions for the purposes of poor relief, and that the Unions should build workhouses. At first the new Guardians continued to use the old Coggeshall and Witham workhouses. They didn’t decide to have a new one till 6 March 1837 (and then only on the casting vote of the chairman, Lord Rayleigh). The following information is mostly from the first two volumes of Guardians’ minutes (ERO G/WM 1 and 2)

New building:

Plans: decided on 3 April to advertise for plans, and on 8 May accepted the ones sent in by Scott and Moffatt. On 12 June Mr Moffatt attended and received instructions and again on 21 August with the builder. It took at least two requests in Sept to get Mr M to come again and sign the contract. After completion, in May 1839, the Guardians instructed their clerk ‘to write to Messrs Scott and Moffatt to inform them unless they came to inspect the works at the Union House within a fortnight, the Guardians would appoint someone else to do the same’. ON 6 January 1840 they decided to write to Scott and Moffatt saying that ‘the Board objected to their Bill’.

Land: various sites were looked at, and the Guardians at first chose a piece of land between Witham and Rivenhall but the tenant declined to vacate it, so in June 1837 they agreed to buy the present site in Hatfield Road from Colonel Strutt.

Builder: Tenders sought June 1837, and in August accepted Messrs Steggles and Sons at £5,295, subject to some alteration (not a local firm, perhaps Suffolk?). Decided to begin work at end of August.. Was given £1,000 on account in Nov 1837. In July 1838, Board declined to give him another £,1000 until more progress made.

Completion and opening: It’s not entirely clear when the new Workhouse was opened but it must have been either at the end of December 1838 or during January 1839. On 14 December 1838 the Guardians were still advertising for tenders for goods to be delivered to the old workhouses. But adverts for the new chaplain, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, porter and nurse say that they were to take up their duties according on 25 December 1838. And certainly by 1 February 1829 tenders were sought for delivery of goods the ‘Union House’. (Chelmsford Chronicle, 23 Nov 1838, 14 Dec 1838, 1 Feb 1839).

I haven’t looked at minutes after March 1840.

Censuses show number of inmates as follows,

1841          131

1851          219

1861          156

1871          209

Dissolution of Witham Union

In c.1880 the Witham Union was disbanded and the Witham workhouse closed. The Union was amalgamated with Braintree and the residents from Witham sent there.

I think that a problem with the Master of the workhouse at Witham precipitated this change. I haven’t researched it properly but I have a note from the Guardians’ minutes of 31 March 1879 about charges of drunkenness against the Matron and of ‘Falsehood’ against the Master (Mr Crockett). Also, a committee reported back that had been appointed to investigate charges preferred by the Nurse against the Master. These were considered proved. There is reference to Mr C being absent from the workhouse for his own pleasure, collusion with the porter, waste in cooking the meat, the mode of administering, and overbearing conduct to officers of the House especially the nurse.

The Local Government Board were asked to act. Then on 14 April there was a proposal to dissolve the Union, but Braintree preferred amalgamation. I seem to have stopped there in looking at the Guardians’ minutes (ERO G/WM)

Maybe the newspapers might shed more light if they were allowed to report such things.

SOUTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT SCHOOL, 1882-1900

The South Metropolitan School District bought the building for a Poor Law School in 1882. The SMSD was a combination of various London Poor Law Unions, founded by order of the Poor Law Board in 1849; they had various other schools. Witham was for ‘orphan and deserted children’ – boys and girls – from the District’s area, i.e. Camberwell, Greenwich, Woolwich, Stepney etc.

According to a booklet about the District (LMA SMSD 79)

‘The Witham School … was purchased in 1882, and great alterations made. Additional land was bought in 1884 and 1898, while Schoolrooms and a Drying-room were erected in 1892-1893 and an Infirmary in 1897-98’ (the latter was for 24 beds according to Witham UDC building plan number 85, ERO D/UWi Pb 1/1). Certified to accommodate 200 in 1897 (there were 194 ‘scholars’ here for the 1891 census). Eventually opinion turned against such large schools. The children were moved elsewhere in November 1900.

Records at London Metropolitan Archives with reference SMSD are:

(1) specific to Witham: admission and discharge registers 1882-1900 (194-198), creed register 1882-1900 (199), death register 1883-1899 (200) (I have ms notes on these).

(2) about the district in general but possibly relevant: booklet about the SMD and its Dissolution (79, see above). Also minutes, accounts, statistics, loose papers, letters from Poor Law Board, which I haven’t looked at.

 METROPOLITAN ASYLUMS BOARD, 1900-1923

The MAB bought it in 1900.

1900 – 1906: school for children with ringworm (1901 census (135 patients); 1902 and 1906 directories)

1906 – 1922 ‘Industrial Home for Feeble Minded Boys’. (1908, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1917, 1922 directories)

What most people remember are the ‘Bridge Home boys’ who were often very capable and had an excellent brass band. There must be books about Industrial Homes. I think they may have been intended, at least in part, for boys who were troublesome.

During the First World War, there was a Red Cross Hospital for wounded soldiers in the separate Hospital / Infirmary Wing, which is shown here on this Ordnance Survey Map of 1922 (scale of original 1:2500). (see also photos M612 and M630)

 

The whole place was sold in 1923, under the following description:

‘Bridge Training Home … comprising blocks of buildings in red brickwork, containing the following extensive accommodation: Lodge, Offices, Committee Rooms, Strongroom, Recreation and School Rooms, Bedrooms, Store Rooms, Cloak Rooms and Lavatories. Stone and other Staircases, Cellars, Kitchen and Washhouses, Laundry, Workshops, Chapel, Two Gymnasia and an Open Air Swimming Bath, also a detached Infirmary of two floors, divided into Wards, with two stone staircases, Lavatories and Kitchens, and central heating. Paved Yards, Lawns, Orchard and Kitchen Garden with Greenhouses, Storeshed, Fowls houses, Pig Styes and Fruit Store … about 7 acres … suitable for occupation as a School, Home, Institution or similar purpose, or could be readily adapted for factory purposes’. Fixtures, fitting and plant to be included in the sale. (LMA MAB 2272).

Papers include (LMA MAB 2272):

(1) First proof of printed sale catalogue from which the above quotation is taken. London Auction Mart 21 Feb 1923

(2) Schedule of deeds, including bundle of old abstracts and deeds.

(3) Typed conditions of sale, and handwritten version.

(4) Very large poster for sale

(5) Letter from Ministry of Health, 3 March 1923, allowing sale for £9,500.

(6) Indenture 4 April 1923 conveying property from MAP to Eastern Counties Institution (1 typed page)

(7) Material re title.

Records at London Metropolitan Archives with reference MAB are:

(1) specific to Witham: admission and discharge registers 1911-1922 (2269-2269), death register 1905-1922 (2270), chaplain’s report book 1901-1906 (2271), papers re sale in 1923, including printed particulars (2272, see above).

(2) about the Board in general: minutes (in history library), which I haven’t looked at)

 ROYAL EASTERN COUNTIES INSTITUTION, 1923 ONWARDS (until the NHS)

The RECI bought it in 1923. They were the people who ran Severalls hospital etc. at Colchester.


OTHER ASSORTED NOTES

EMAILS — PETER HIGGINBOTHAM ABOUT NEW WORKHOUSE

Exchange of emails with Peter Higginbotham who runs http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/

Envelope-to: janet@gyford.com
From: “Peter Higginbotham” <peter.higginbotham@computing-services.oxford.ac.uk>
To: “Janet Gyford” <janet@gyford.com>
Subject: Re: witham, essex
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 17:41:32 -0000
Hi Janet,
thanks very much indeed for passing all this on. Some very interesting stuff which I’ll try and add to my Witham page (with an appropriate credit to you, of course) when I get the chance. My impression is that S&M spread themselves very thin – chasing round the country for new contracts and not really spending enough time on their existing ones. All best wishes and many thanks again, Peter

—– Original Message —–
From: “Janet Gyford” <janet@gyford.com>
To: “Peter Higginbotham”
<Peter.Higginbotham@computing-services.oxford.ac.uk>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 8:54 AM
Subject: Re: witham, essex
> Hello Peter
> Attached is a summary I did re the Bridge Home (Union Workhouse) for an architect who was recently working on the refurbishment for flats. He sent me a very long report of a survey he did of the place, I’d better not send it you without his consent but he might well send you one too is you ask him and explain your interest. He is Rob Kinchin-Smith, email kinchin-smithr@rpsplc.co.uk. Also I’m sending notes on something from PRO and on the first two volumes of minutes of the Guardians. I always find it amusing that they got so fed up with Messrs Scott and Moffatt. When the Witham local worthies were planning a new church in 1841 Messrs S and M submitted a plan and came to a meeting but were rejected – it doesn’t say anywhere why this was, but I suspect that their reputation as slow workers at the workhouse didn’t help. ALso rejected was William Tite who became famous for the Royal Exchange. INstead they chose a John Brown from Norwich – his ceilings started falling down not long after the church was finished and I wouldn’t really say the building is very distinguished.

There is also some stuff in Essex Record Office about the old parish workhouse, ERO D/P 30/18/1, 2, 7, and 30/12/26, but I don’t seem to have anything from that in a conveniently sendable form.
All the best Janet

At 20:50 07/11/04 +0000, you wrote:
>Hi Janet, thanks very much for your kind words. I think I had perfect picture-taking conditions when I was at Witham. Thank you, yes I’d be very interested in any additional information you have on the place.

> >All best wishes, Peter

—– Original Message —–
> >From: “Janet Gyford” <janet@gyford.com>

To: <Peter.Higginbotham@workhouses.org.uk>
> >Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 10:11 AM
>Subject: witham, essex
> > Hello Peter I’ve been admiring your pics of Witham Union Workhouse (the Bridge) on the web site – I tried often to get the archway with the tower behind but always got it wrong ! I have some more info, from PRO etc, if you are interested ? Janet Gyford


EMAILS – WITH ROB KINCHIN-SMITH ABOUT ARCHITECTURE

Envelope-to: janet@gyford.com
Subject: RE: bridge home, witham -> [Scanned]
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:09:02 +0100
Thread-Topic: bridge home, witham -> [Scanned]
thread-index: AcStfxY1DJ9GQm7hTXy/OxhlF96Q2AB+KTeg
From: “Rob Kinchin-Smith” <kinchin-smithr@rpsplc.co.uk>
To: “Janet Gyford” <janet@gyford.com>
Hi Janet
I’d say that, given the date, a wall cavity would be most unusual, so estimating on solid walls would be an educated guess / assumption.
Many thanks for all your help in guiding me round the archives and for the very useful information you supplied.
If its any help to you, please find attached a copy of the report with details of the (then) proposed development and the assessment thereof removed.
I gather that the prospective developers sold the property on, so I have no idea now what has become of the building, but hopefully whatever happens to it, it will be / has been sympathetic in character.
Very best regards and thanks again for your help
Rob

—–Original Message—–
From: Janet Gyford [mailto:janet@gyford.com]
Sent: 08 October 2004 22:38
To: Rob Kinchin-Smith
Subject: bridge home, witham -> [Scanned]
Hello Rob
I sent you some info about the history Bridge Home at Witham a while back.

I might have mentioned then that I was interested in trying to make a rough estimate of how many bricks there were in the original build – I’m trying to picture them all coming by horse and cart ! I’ve returned to the question now and wonder whether you would be able to tell me whether the external walls are cavity walls or not? I.e. now I have estimated the size of them, should I double it ? The internal walls will remain a mystery but if I just get an idea about the outside it’ll be something.
All the best
Janet Gyford

Envelope-to: janet@gyford.com
Subject: RE: bridge home, witham -> [Scanned] -> [Scanned]
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 12:59:08 +0100
X-MS-Has-Attach:
X-MS-TNEF-Correlator:
Thread-Topic: bridge home, witham -> [Scanned] -> [Scanned]
thread-index: AcSvgW74QCUnbA7VTYOD8kYQr/R0IwAB8iVg
From: “Rob Kinchin-Smith” <kinchin-smithr@rpsplc.co.uk>
To: “Janet Gyford” <janet@gyford.com>

Thanks Janet
My report listed all original fabric and advocated its retention. The HAMP team at Essex County Council (who oversee all Listed Building applications in the County) seemed quite on the case. Hopefully the conversion will thus leave most of the historic fabric intact.
Regards
Rob


Brushmaking

Fred Gaymer, Grasmere, Spinks Lane, December 1988 said:

Brushes used to be made at the Bridge Home. The man trained at Braintree. The Bridge Home ‘boys’ had all the equipment

my documents/oral history/conversations unrecorded/gaymer, fred, about bridge home and brushes, december 1988.doc

 

2 thoughts on “The Union Workhouse, later The Bridge Home”

  1. Hi I dont know if you are able to get photos of the boys at the home in the 1956 onwards as my brother David redman was a resident there. Tried to find out anything about him but keep coming up with dead ends. We have no pics of him at all. Regards v manning

  2. Dear Sir

    One of my great uncles Edward Bumstead, originally from Bildeston, Suffolk, was discharged from the Royal Engineers and sent to Bridge House in Witham during the First World War. I have always understood that this was due to neurasthenia, now known as shell shock, and he was still there in 1939. I know that he died at Witham and I assume this was at the hospital.

    I would be grateful if you could let me know if the records for the war hospital are still exist and if so where I can access them if this is permitted.

    I would be grateful for any assistance you are able to give me.

    Kind regards

    Peter Mason.

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