Depression Support Thread

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
Well I was going to try and finish the trilogy of classics with 'Oliver Twist', but verily, it seems there was much merriment to be had among the very poorest in Mansfield Workhouse in 1886...

Christmas Day at the Workhouse

This article originally appeared in the Notts. Free Press of 31st December 1886, and describes the Christmas festivities in Mansfield Workhouse during that year.

Whenever the present method of celebrating the occurrence of Christmas by feasting and merry making may have arisen, it has, from time immemorial, been an unwritten law that the poorer members of the great human family should have some share in the general enjoyment. This being acknowledged it seems but right that those who through mental, physical, or financial adversity have been forced to seek asylum in some one of our many public institutions, should have a special share of attention. To the inmates of our workhouses, with their ever recurring bill of fare, as the weeks roll round, Christmas is particularly looked forward to as a brief season of festivity, and as a juvenile resident in a workhouse remarked, Christmas means "one good dinner" for the inmates.

Happily the days of "Oliver Twist" are over, and now, even if the lot of our pauper population "is not a happy one", there is a greater desire to make their condition as comfortable as is consistently possible. To change the appearance of one's surroundings is a good way to ensure at least a temporary forgetfulness of one's troubles, and so a visitor to the Mansfield Workhouse at this season of the year finds that labour has not been spared in the way of ornamentation.

Mr. & Mrs. Williams, Mr. Davey, and Miss Wilson, assisted by the inmates, have been busily engaged with the result that the entrance hall, passages, and kitchen have been decorated with evergreens, festoons, etc., mottoes expressive of seasonable wishes could be seen on every hand and visitors to the kitchen were assured that "Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes it brings good cheer", and happily the proceedings on Saturday did not belie the intimation. Special pains were bestowed on the dining hall, the gaseliers, windows and every available spot being brightened with festoons, evergreens, etc. Prominent at each end of the room were the well-known words - Hark, the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king - in large church-text letters cut from cardboard and covered with gold leaf. This had been the especial work of the Master and Mr. Davey, and being mounted on a back ground of green baize, proved at once an attractive and ornamental addition to the general decorations.

The boys will have special cause to remember Christmas 1886, for they have this year been supplied with overcoats in accordance with the recent decision of the Guardians and these were worn on Saturday for the first time. The garments, which are of a substantial character, and well calculated to serve the purpose of providing warmth, have been almost entirely made by the lads themselves in the tailors' shop connected with the house, and their workmanship is at once creditable to themselves and their instructor.

Proceedings commenced at five o'clock, when the youngsters comprising the Drum and Fife Band turned out under Mr. Williams and Mr. Davy, and played and sang a selection of Christmas anthems and carols at various points in the grounds, and their bright and creditable performance struck a joyous keynote, which augured well for the day's enjoyment. Breakfast followed in due course and comprised the usual fare of porridge or bread and butter and tea, according to the age of inmates. At ten o'clock all who were able assembled in the dining hall, when the Rev. R. Keen officiated, and the service was fully choral, the anthem for the day being , "Behold I bring you good tidings", and it was well-rendered by the local choir.

At half-past twelve, the dining-hall was again crowded on the occasion of what many of the participants probably considered to be the most important item in the day's proceedings, viz., the annual Christmas dinner. This comprised roast beef, mashed potatoes, and plum pudding, with a pint of ale for the men, and half-a-pint for the women, and was a considerable contrast to the bread and soup or suet pudding, one of which would otherwise have formed the menu for the day.

Tobacco and snuff were distributed with an open hand afterwards, and freely indulged in. Messrs. Nuttall, Parker, and Ward had each sent gifts of those articles, whilst Messrs. Allen and Swift sent sweets etc., and the Guardians, in addition to voting the funds for the dinner, contributed personally towards the procurement of luxuries. A number of ladies and gentlemen were present at dinner and assisted in various ways, amongst them being - Mrs. Birch, Mrs. Titley, the Misses Godfrey, Miss Wyeld, and the Misses White, Mr. Birks (representing the board of Guardians), and Messrs. A.J. Hibbert, Cash, H. Powell, Wyeld, Aves, J. Ward, Jackson, W. White, Westwood etc. At the conclusion of the feasting, the genial Master of the Union, (Mr D Williams) proposed a vote of thanks to the Board of Guardians and other donors for their kindness, and it is surely needless to say that no dissentient voice was raised. Mr Birks, in responding, said that the Guardians desired to promote the welfare and happiness of the poor at all times, but more especially at Christmas, and whatever they did was done with a very good will.

Later in the afternoon there was a repetition of the happy scene which specially marked out the Christmas of 1885 to any of its predecessors. On that occasion, the Misses Lee of Berry-hill and their sister , Mrs W. H. Thomasson, conceived the scheme of providing a Christmas tree for the inmates of the Mansfield Workhouse, and it is doubtful whether, in the history of the many acts of charity and kindness performed by these ...
(here a small part of the column has been lost - both in hard copy and film version)
... the age and requirements of the recipient, and the delight of all, both old and young, could be plainly read on their faces. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to those who had in any way helped to produce the afternoon's pleasure.
At half-past five tea was provided, and this meal, which consisted of tea, bread and butter, and cake, seemed to be heartily enjoyed in spite of the substantial work which had already been effected.''

How very grateful they were for everything that Christmas. There was such an air of celebration it seems, inspite of their sad circumstances.
And maybe 122 years later, especially in view of the cruel credit crunch, there are still lessons to be learned from this account of what seems to be a very MSE community kind of Christmas.
Can you see the MSE ethos in the first paragraph? How about the Benefits board or the Depression thread?
In fact, I could identify elements of the ancestors of the Moneysaving Old Style board, the Special Occasions and Celebrations board, DFW board, the Charities board, Travel, Trips and Holidays board, Techie Stuff (albeit in tailoring - well it was 1886!), Local Moneysaving board, and, of course, The Arms.

Sorry, I just found this article really interesting with me being professionally poor, , and it shows that there were kind souls around even then.
(Yes, I know, in-flight sick bags under your seats and emergency exits to the rear! )

However, don't even think of sending me a suet pudding for Christmas 2009 - allergic! I don't seem to have a problem with diamonds though.
Be kind to yourself, guys.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

slowlyfading

Happy New Year everyone Lets hope that 2009 is good for all of us x

fairydawn

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you for all your help and kind words.
Here's hoping for a better 2009. :beer:
D x

BizzyBek

I thought this was an interesting news story today - the charity MIND saying making new year resolutions can be bad for your health.

So often resolutions are based in the negative and we overwhelm ourselves, just making us feel like we have failed more!

"We chastise ourselves for our perceived shortcomings and set unrealistic goals to change our behaviour, so it's not surprising that when we fail to keep resolutions, we end up feeling worse than when we started.

"In 2009, instead of making a New Year's resolution, think positively about the year to come and what you can achieve."

Mind suggested resolution-makers focus instead on being active, connecting with nature, learning something new and working for one's community.

Wise words methinks!

Tulip

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

:hello: Everyone,

Happy New Year to you all,May it be a good one for each and everyone of you

I went to Mums last night and I watched The Golden Compass,It was a great film


I have managed to track down a lovely smarties bowl so help yourselves




they are back!!!!!!


Katie

Tulip

Elmostreet wrote: »

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I HOPE THIS A BRILLIANT BRILLIANT YEAR FOR YOU ALL!
A SPECIAL MENTION TO KATIE WHO ALWAYS CHEERS ME UP WITH HER LOVELY POSTS!:beer::beer::beer::A:A:A:j:j:j

thanks Elmo,plan to cheer more people up this year too I wont ever change and I will always be a ray of sunshine when needed as well

Katie

shazrobo

happy new year everyone, hope it has been a good start to the year for everyone on this thread.
me and ian took the boys to bridlington, and it was freezin, but we still enjoyed it,
hugs all
shaz xxx

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Happy new year everyone xxx

Tulip

I am off now,

chat tomorrow

Love and light,

Katie xxx

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
How's everyone tonight?

I just wanted to stop by and say on a more serious note, that it has been a privilege both to have known you and to have shared yet another year with you. Thank you for all your support and kindness and for letting this Tiff be a part of your lives. You're an amazing group of people and I've made some valuable friendships on this thread.
I wish you all love, happiness, good health, success and, most importantly, peace of mind in 2009.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx