A fascinating look at all aspects of life in Basingstoke Workhouse This absorbing book explores all aspects of life in that feared institution, the workhouse. From the staff who lived and worked there to the poor souls kept in the medical wing, it reveals a side of Basingstoke that has long since been forgotten. It covers the problems of administration and oversight, the stresses and strains suffered by the new, untrained and inexperienced officers who had to make it work, and the sometimes excruciating difficulty of getting every detail sanctioned by London. It also details how caring for the destitute and unfortunate often depended on the personalities of the people in charge, and how the poor law union became a whole new tier of local government, still operating today. AUTHOR: Barbara A. Large is retired from local government, and is now pursuing her lifelong passion for local history. She has a Certificate in Post-Medieval Archaeology and a Certificate in Local History from Keele University.Barbara was a volunteer researcher for the revision of the Victoria County History, Hampshire, and designs the VCH Hampshire Newsletter, as well as being an active participant in the Basingstoke Talking History project, run by the Basingstoke Archaeological nHistorical Society. She lives in Basingstoke. SELLING POINTS: ? Based on rare archives that have never previously appeared in print ? Dovetails the story of the town and parishes, as well as general history ? A popular subject for those tracing their family tree and those interested in social history ? Unique in its detail of one place, but typical in the context of national implementation 20 b/w illustrations
