Bridgend

Bridgend

Bridgend and Cowbridge Union Workhouse

The Bridgend and Cowbridge Union commenced in 1836. There was a representative from each of the fifty two parishes within the Union. The Union was then divided into three districts with a Relieving Officer and Medical Officer for each district. These districts were named Cowbridge, Bridgend and Maesteg.

William Edmondes was appointed as Clerk to the Guardians, a very important role that included writing to the poor law commissioners, resolving any problems, and responsibility for the accounts of the workhouse. In 1837 when births, marriages and deaths became registrable, the Clerk was made Superintendant Registrar.

The poorhouses were located at Coity Lower, St Bride's Major, Newton Nottage, Llantwit Major, Cowbridge and St Athan. However, in 1837 land was purchased for the building of a new Union Workhouse in Bridgend. Mr Wilkinson was appointed as Architect by the Board of Guardians. A loan was taken for £4,100 from the Royal Exchange Assurance Company payable in installments over 10 years. The new Union workhouse was completed in 1839 and could accommodate 200 inmates.

John and Mary Tussell from Carmarthen were the first Master and Matron. A school was built in Nolton Road which the workhouse children attended, and were taught reading, writing, arithmetic and Religious Knowledge in English. It has to be remembered that the majority of people were Welsh speaking. In 1855 the girls' dormitory was split in half and part became the schoolroom. A schoolmistress was appointed so that education could be continued on site.

From 1883 a Nurse was employed at the Workhouse, who also acted as Assistant Matron.

The Workhouse building is now closed and has been redeveloped as Residential Housing. The building had been modified and developed into Bridgend Infirmary. This formed an integral part of Bridgend General Hospital until 1985 when the building was sold.

Bridgend Cottage Homes
The Cottage Homes of the Bridgend and Cowbridge Union, Preswylfa, were erected on Merthyr Mawr Road in 1878, Mr Harries being the architect. The first children started entering in January 1879, and the move completed by April of that year. A Married couple Mr and Mrs Thornton were appointed as Schoolteachers and Industrial Trainers, Administrative Officer and Matron, being paid £45 and £25 respectively, and six Women appointed as "Mothers and Trainers" to take charge of the cottages, being paid £12 per year by the Guardians. Dr. Verity became the Medical Officer for the Homes at a salary of £10 per year.
A further 15 children were admitted to the Cottage Homes during 1880, during which time one of the boys Cornelius Murphy was sent to the Magistrates Court for subordination. He was sent to an Industrial Training Ship, The Havannah, in Cardiff at the Homes expense. The 1881 census shows 66 children resident in the Homes, however the number of children was declining as there were 55 children resident on the 1891 census.

Records available:
Admission and Discharge registers 1879-1923; 1927-1930
Creed registers 1879-1919
Minutes 1878-1909; 1914-1930

Thanks are given to Cardiff Record Office for supplying records information held, but please note that a weeks notice must be given to view these sources as they are stored off site.

Mid Glamorgan County Hall,
King Edward VII Avenue,
Cathays Park,
CARDIFF,
CF1 3NE
Telephone:- +44 (0)2920 780282

Page updated March 11, 2008