PENRITH HERALD, October 17, 1874 / WEST WARD UNION.......Part II

[Barb Ontario Canada]

WEST WARD UNION......Part II

 

OPPOSITION TO THE SHAP SITE FOR A WORKHOUSE.

 

The CHAIRMAN next brought forward the subject of the proposed site for a new workhouse, in consequence, he said, of having received a letter from the REV. G. F. WESTON on the subject.  Before reading that letter, he thought it right to explain his own views.  I have, he said, very strong objections to that site at Shap, and consider it one which I cannot consistently or conscientiously sanction, for it is one of the worst sites which could have been chosen in the Union.  It is situated in a most exposed and bleak situation on the high side of Shap, at the mercy of the winds from every art, and the storms coming down from the Wet Sleddale neighbourhood must be something tremendous.  Situated on the top of a hill, it is exposed to a sweep of several miles without any shelter or protection whatever.  I object to it therefore on the score of humanity, and I think the guardians will never be able to induce, or inclined to compel, the poor old people....lame and sick........or the orphan children to go to such a situation should the workhouse be built there, and I feel convinced that almost every one in the Union, when they see the building rise from the proposed situation, will condemn such a choice.  I could not therefore consistently with my feelings sign the memorial, and I think it necessary to state this, because acting as Chairman it would appear very singular to the Local Government Board that the Chairman did not sign it.  I consider it therefore due to myself to thus explain my objections, though I have no wish to influence any other party.  I object to Shap altogether, but particularly to this site proposed.  The climate of Shap is very severe in winter, and the approach to this place is very bad, being down a lane, and across a stream situated a few yards of the entrance, which at times in impassable.  Altogether the situation is one that in the future would be condemned by every sensible person who sees it.  I am quite convinced that the poor people who have lived all their lifetime in the lower parts of the Union will have the strongest objection to go to such a place, and it might be even dangerous to old people and delicate children to send them from a low warm climate such as Clifton and Eamont Bridge to such a cold severe climate as Shap. 

 

I have received the following letter from MR. WESTON, who is anxious to convey his views to the Guardians, in which he goes fully into the case, and I have only to say that I agree with him in everything he has stated.  At the request of the Chairman,

 

The CLERK then read the following letter: ...................

 

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Part III will follow

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barb, ontario, canada