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Dining Hall at Laindon Labour Colony, Essex
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Dining Hall at Laindon Labour Colony, Essex
A few men are seated in the dining Hall at Laindon Labour Colony, near Dunton, Essex. An iron stove stands in the centre. The colony was established in 1904 by the Poplar Poor Law Union as an alternative to the workhouse for able-bodied men. Date: 1904
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Media ID 7194479
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10529953
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in time at Laindon Labour Colony, a unique institution established in 1904 by the Poplar Poor Law Union in Essex, England. The image shows a few men seated in the dining hall, their weary expressions reflecting the hardships they faced. The iron stove at the center of the room provides a small source of warmth and comfort in this stark environment. During the early 20th century, workhouses were the last resort for the able-bodied poor who had no other means of support. These institutions, which had been in existence since the Elizabethan era, were notorious for their harsh living conditions and demeaning treatment of residents. In response to growing criticism, the Poplar Poor Law Union sought to create a more humane alternative, and Laindon Labour Colony was born. At the colony, men were provided with employment opportunities, training, and education, as well as basic necessities such as food and shelter. The dining hall was one of the few communal spaces where residents could gather and share a meal. The simple, utilitarian design of the room reflects the practical nature of the colony, with its focus on hard work and self-sufficiency. Despite the improvements over traditional workhouses, life at Laindon Labour Colony was still far from easy. Long hours of manual labor, combined with meager rations and cramped living quarters, made for a challenging existence. However, for many men, it was still a preferable alternative to the indignities and suffering endured in the workhouses of the past. This photograph offers a glimpse into the daily life of the men who called Laindon Labour Colony home, a poignant reminder of a time when poverty and hardship were more visible in British society.
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