Workhouses existed at Totnes from around 1738, and at Ugborough from 1739 (Hitchcock, 1985). A parliamentary report of 1777 recorded parish workhouses in operation at Totness (for up to 40 inmates), Berey Pumerey (40), Brixham (60), Cornworthy (40), and Staverton (30).
Brixham had a parish workhouse on what was then called Beggar's Hill — now "Baker's Hill". The building later became Baker's Hill school.
Totnes Poor Law Union was formed on 21st June 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 44 in number, representing its 28 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
Devon: Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy (2), Brixham (4), Buckfastleigh (3), Churston Ferrers, Cornworthy, Dartmouth - St Petrox, Dartmouth - St Saviour (3), Dartmouth Townstall (2), Dittisham, Diptford, Dean Prior, Dartington, Halwell, Holne, North Huish, Harberton (2), Kingswear, Little Hempstone, Morley, Marldon, Paignton (2), Rattery, Staverton, Stoke Gabriel, South Bent (2), Totnes (4), Ugborough (2).
The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 32,340 — ranging from Morley (population 182) to Brixham (5,015) and Totnes (3,442). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £13,879 or 8s.7d. per head of the population.
The new Totnes Board of Guardians had their first meeting on 22nd June, 1836 and appointed a committee to pursue the erection of new workhouse. The following month, advertisements were placed for plans for a building to accommodate 300 inmates. In September, plans from Messrs Scott and Moffatt were adopted but a dispute seems to have arisen between them and the Board and Thomas Ponsford was eventually appointed architect. Ponsford was also the architect for the workhouse in the adjacent Kingsbridge Union. The new Totnes workhouse was built in 1837-38 at a site on the south side of Plymouth Road at a cost of £6,000. The workhouse location and layout are shown on the OS map of 1903:
Totnes workhouse site, 1903.
The workhouse originally had an entrance block fronting onto the road. This presumably contained the Guardians' board-room, porter's and clerk's rooms and so on. In 1907-9, this block was replaced by a two storey red-brick 80-bed infirmary (now demolished) costing £9,000. The Guardians' board-room was then relocated to a new building on the opposite side of the road.
Totnes board-room block from the south-west, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
The main workhouse building was of three storeys with a semi-octagonal projection at the centre. An small additional wing was later added at the east, possibly containing female sick wards.
Totnes main block from the north-east, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Totnes main block entrance from the north, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
In 1871, an infectious ward block was erected at the south of the site.
Totnes infectious ward block from the north, 2001.
© Peter Higginbotham.
In 1894, the British Medical Journal set up a "commission" to investigate conditions in provincial workhouses and their infirmaries. Following a visit to Totnes, the commission's report included a number of criticisms: all that went on in the lying-in ward could be heard through the partition separating it from the old women's ward; the sanitary appliances all over the house were antiquated; the baths seemed to be rarely used and some were potentially dangerous; new and more comfortable bedsteads were needed for the old people. None of the three nurses was hospital trained, and there was no night nurse. A "ward tender" — usually an old inmate — was appointed to each ward, and these seemed to do much of the nursing. Further details are available in the full report.
The workhouse later became Totnes Public Assistance Institution and then Broomborough Hospital. The surviving buildings have now been converted for residential use.
This page () is copyright Peter G Higginbotham. Last updated 20-Oct-2009
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