Christmas at the Workhouse
Social History Spilsby Workhouse 1905
The inmates of the Spilsby Workhouse enjoyed their customary bill of fare on Christmas Day. This consisted of roast beef, plum pudding, etc., several gentlemen of the town, and, district acting as carvers, waiters, etc.
After dinner the men were regaled with tobacco, and the women and children with nuts, oranges, apples, etc., these being kindly given by tradespeople and others.
A sumptuous tea followed, and the usual night-cap closed the day’s festivities.
An enormous Christmas Tree, well laden with useful books, toys, dolls, crackers, etc, delighted the youngsters, the dismantling of which takes place on New Year’s Eve, when further festivities take place, and in which all the inmates join.
Many useful gifts in the shape of warm clothing, etc., were presented the inmates by ladies of the town and district.
The article above appeared in a 1905 issue of the Skegness Herald and as a flashback in a 1930 issue of the Skegness News.
It was with interest that i read the account of life in the workhouse over christmas. I am re-searching my wifes Family tree and it was a suprise to discover her Grandfather(aged 10) and is brother(12) listed in the 1891 as residing in a workhouse in Derby with no mention of iether parents being with them. They were both born in Derby but in the 1881 Cencus they were residing with the family in Kings Norton where there father was born. After further research we discovered that the father died about 1884 but theres no trace of the mother. Is it usuall for two young children of that age to be placed alone in the workhouse rather than being place in some type of childrens home. Unfortunately we were unable to find any recorded information due to Workhouse register being destroyed in a later fire.