In Year 5 we have been studying The Victorians and have been on a recent trip to Southwell Workhouse. It was a really good day and it gave a super insight into the way that people lived, and what they had to endure during their time there.
Some of our commited garden spotters recalled that one part of the workhouse was dedicated to growing their own vegetables for the inmates. Everyone was responsible for looking after them. They even emptied the toilet waste onto it as manure...quite disgusting but it worked! If they got a good crop they would eat better, if they grew more the governor would be happy because he could sell some of the produce to local meaning the Parish would have to pay less for the upkeep of the 'Paupers'.
Unfortunately, with our timing, March is not really a good month to see a super crop, but the ground was ready for this years crops.
Check out the website below for more information... It's well worth a visit.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theworkhouse.htm
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/
Some of our commited garden spotters recalled that one part of the workhouse was dedicated to growing their own vegetables for the inmates. Everyone was responsible for looking after them. They even emptied the toilet waste onto it as manure...quite disgusting but it worked! If they got a good crop they would eat better, if they grew more the governor would be happy because he could sell some of the produce to local meaning the Parish would have to pay less for the upkeep of the 'Paupers'.
Unfortunately, with our timing, March is not really a good month to see a super crop, but the ground was ready for this years crops.
Check out the website below for more information... It's well worth a visit.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theworkhouse.htm
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/
