Neath, Glamorgan

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Neath Poor Law Union was formed on 2nd September 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 33 in number, representing its 29 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one; spellings are as used in contemporary Poor Law Commission reports):

Glamorgan: Aberafon, Baglan, Higher, Baglan, Lower, Blaengwrach, Blaenhonnda, Britonferry, Clyne, Coedfrank, Duffryn Clydach, Dylais, Lower, Dylais, Upper, Glyncorwg, Kilybebill, Llanguick, Higher Llansamlet, Lower Llansamlet (2), Llantwit, Lower, Margam (2), Upper Michaelstone super Afon, Lower Michaelstone super Afon, Higher Neath, Lower Neath, Middle Neath, Neath parish and town (3), Resolvend, Ynisymond.
Brecon: Higher Ystradgynlais, Lower Ystradgynlais (2), Ystradfelte.

The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 23,768 with parishes ranging in size from Higher Baglan (population 58) to Neath itself (4,043). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1832-35 had been £7,403 or 6s.3d per head of the population.

In 1875, a new Pontardawe Poor Law Union was formed which included some of the parishes which had previously formed the north-west part of the Neath Union.

Lletty Nedd Workhouse

The Neath Union workhouse was built about a mile the east of the town on a narrow site the north side of the Llantwit Road. The building, opened in 1838, was named "Lletty Nedd". In 1895, it was described as "a substantial building of stone, erected in 1838 & since rebuilt and improved, adapted for the reception of 140 poor & has a well-furnished boardroom". Its location and layout are shown on the 1899 map below.

Neath workhouse site, 1899.

It was an H-shaped layout comprising a long front range, later extended to the west, connected by a short central block to a parallel range at the the rear. A separate block was later erected at the east of the workhouse.

Neath front range from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Neath "Lletty Nedd", 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Neath rear range from the north-east, 2000.
Courtesy of Lletty Nedd residents. © Peter Higginbotham.

The workhouse closed in 1924 and the remaining inmates transferred to the Union Infirmary (Neath General Hospital). From July 1933 to 31st August 1946, the buildings — then known as the Old White House — were used as a youth hostel. The site is now a mixture of residential and commercial premises including (in 2000) the aptly named "Union Fish & Chip Bar" — the workhouse commonly being referred as "The Union" in former times.

Neath "Union Fish & Chip Bar", 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Bryncoch Cottage Homes

In 1876-8, the union erected three cottage homes on a 10-acre site at Bryncoch. The homes opened in May, 1878, and were able to accommodate up to 40 girls and 30 boys away from the workhouse. The Neath homes have a claim to be the first poor law cottage homes to be set up in Britain. Census records indicate that there were six homes with around 12 children in each (a mix of boys and girls of varying ages) looked after by an "assistant matron".

Neath cottage homes site, 1938.

Only two of the original buildings survive: one is now a school, the other private housing.

Neath Union Infirmary

The Neath Union erected a separate infirmary on a site to the south of Neath. Its location and layout are shown on the 1921 map below.

Neath union infirmary, 1921.

The infirmary, referred to as the New Graded Infirmary on the 1921 map, had a typical pavilion plan layout with an administrative block at its centre. Corridors led to the male and female ward blocks at each side. A nurses' home stood at the north of the site. The infirmary later became the Neath General Hospital which closed in 2003. All the buildings have now been demolished.

West Glamorgan Archive Service, County Hall, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN. Holdings include: Board of Guardians' minutes (1853-1930, with gaps); Admissions and discharges (1867-1931); Birth and death registers (1871-1931); Neath Union Cottage Homes admissions and discharges (1878-1955); etc.

Bibliography

None.