The Workhouse

Katharine and I had a short day out in Easingwold, a market town to the north of York, and just a 20 minute bus ride away. We have passed through the town many many times on our way to the North York Moors, but this time I was taking Katharine to see some of the interesting places I had found on an earlier visit.

The first is this rather large and attractive building, which until recent new building of houses was at the north-easter corner of the village, and which was built as a workhouse.

In England, a workhouse was an institution where those unable to support themselves financially were offered accommodation and employment. This workhouse was built in 1837-8 and replaced a smaller nearby building. The new workhouse could house up to 130 people. There was strong social stigma for those who were housed there. The destitute would have been forced to move in, since there was no other form of support available. Although the building is impressive, conditions would have been very basic and the work hard.

Almost 100 years after it was built, it was converted to become Claypenny Colony, and provided care for up to 200 people with learning disabilities.

In the early part of this century it's use was changed again, as it was refurbished and is now residential accomodation.

Ian

[Oli Lindenskov]

Nice pic and story😊

[carol white]

Nicely captured

[gloria jones]

Great capture and narrative

[Margaret Brown]

So interesting, it looks in a lot better repair than the one we have which until recently was used as our local hospital outpatients, physio and x-ray department.

[Christine Sztukowski]

Amazing building with a fantastic history fv

[Pyrrhula]

Great shot of the building and explanation of the history. Fav.

[Peter Dulis]

Nice

[Babs]

Great shot and story. The building must have been quite intimidating for some of the poor people who had to live there

[Kathy A]

Nicely shaped building

[Joan Robillard]

Nice

[Dione Giorgio]

The history of the building is very near to those in Charles Dicken's book ' Oiver Twist'. The building looks lovely though.

[Fisher Family]

@mubbur @carolmw @seattlite @craftymeg @365projectorgchristine @pyrrhula @pdulis @onewing @kjarn @joansmor @sangwann

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

It is quite remarkable how many of these old Workhouse buildings have survived and are still useful buildings, often as accomodation of some sort.

Ian

[Fisher Family]

@craftymeg

I remember taking photos of the former Guisborough workhouse last year on one of our Moorsbus trips. It will be interesting to see what happens to it now the new hospital is open. I'm sure it could be renovated and made into attractive accommodation.

Ian