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Eliane Wigzell - Crickhowell Union Workhouse; the "Spike" and its People - Thursday 12 March

£7.00

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday 12 March - 7:00pm for 19:30 start

The ten parishes that fell under the responsibility of the Crickhowell Poor Law Union ranged from the remote and rural communities of Partrishow, Grwynefawr and Grwynefechan to the industrial towns of Brynmawr, Beaufort and Nantyglo and at their heart lay the market town of Crickhowell and its neighbouring village of Llangattock.

The story of the Union and history of its workhouse, set on the hillside of the Dardy, facing Crickhowell has been drawn from original sources such as the Minutes of the Board of Guardians meetings, newspaper reports, and local school records, the development of the Union and its responsibilities is traced.

Interspersed between the reports of the often lively and sometimes argumentative meetings of the Guardians are glimpses of the lives of the inmates and poor residents of the area.

There are tales of marital breakdown, alcoholism, neglect, extreme poverty and abuse. Judgements passed are harsh, punishment is often hard labour.

The Crickhowell Union Workhouse history uses original sources to present an invaluable local study of Victorian poor relief, the social attitudes that guided it and the social conditions it attempted to remedy and address.

Venue: Bowls Pavilion, Crickhowell (Bar Available)

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday 12 March - 7:00pm for 19:30 start

The ten parishes that fell under the responsibility of the Crickhowell Poor Law Union ranged from the remote and rural communities of Partrishow, Grwynefawr and Grwynefechan to the industrial towns of Brynmawr, Beaufort and Nantyglo and at their heart lay the market town of Crickhowell and its neighbouring village of Llangattock.

The story of the Union and history of its workhouse, set on the hillside of the Dardy, facing Crickhowell has been drawn from original sources such as the Minutes of the Board of Guardians meetings, newspaper reports, and local school records, the development of the Union and its responsibilities is traced.

Interspersed between the reports of the often lively and sometimes argumentative meetings of the Guardians are glimpses of the lives of the inmates and poor residents of the area.

There are tales of marital breakdown, alcoholism, neglect, extreme poverty and abuse. Judgements passed are harsh, punishment is often hard labour.

The Crickhowell Union Workhouse history uses original sources to present an invaluable local study of Victorian poor relief, the social attitudes that guided it and the social conditions it attempted to remedy and address.

Venue: Bowls Pavilion, Crickhowell (Bar Available)

Eliane Wigzell appears as a committee member of the Crickhowell District Archive Centre (CDAC), based in Crickhowell, Powys, Wales. 

In one newsletter she is listed as “Contact: Eliane Wigzell, CDAC, Ty-y-Fro, Beaufort Street, Crickhowell, NP8 1BN”. 

She is active in local‐history circles: giving talks (for example: “The Baileys of Glanusk – from Ironmasters to Landed Gentry” by Eliane Wigzell) as part of the Hay History Group. 

She appears to have carried out genealogical and archival research for visiting families exploring their roots in the Crickhowell area. For example, a Florida family visited Crickhowell to meet with her at the Archive Centre. 

At CDAC she likely helps with archival work: cataloguing, research, assisting the public with enquiries, preserving local documents, and writing about local history. The Centre itself states it is run by volunteers, preserves documents relevant to the town and district, allows public access and research. 

She has authored or contributed to publications or talks about local historic houses, families and estates (e.g., the talk on the Baileys of Glanusk noted above).

She networks with schools and other local‐history/heritage organisations: from a newsletter item, she reported the Archive Centre is exploring links with the local high school under the new Welsh curriculum. 

Her work helps preserve and promote the history of Crickhowell and its surroundings (in Powys, Wales).