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Union workhouse, Pontardawe, Glamorgan, Wales
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Union workhouse, Pontardawe, Glamorgan, Wales
The Pontardawe Union workhouse was erected in 1870 on Brecon Road, Pontardawe, Glamorgan, Wales. It later became the Danybryn Hostel
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4421945
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10418932
Brecon Country Side Glamorgan Hostel L Aw Poor Poverty Workhouse Workhouses 1907
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Union Workhouse in Pontardawe, Glamorgan, Wales, as it stood in the late 19th century. Erected in 1870 on Brecon Road, this imposing building was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of poverty and destitution in rural Wales during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The Union Workhouse system, established under the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, was designed to provide relief to the destitute, while also ensuring that they were kept in a state of near-starvation to deter able-bodied individuals from becoming dependent on the parish. The workhouse in Pontardawe, like many others across the country, was a place of last resort for those who had no other means of support. The image shows the workhouse nestled in the rolling Welsh countryside, with its high walls and barbed wire fencing creating a sense of isolation and detachment from the outside world. The austere brick facade, with its tall chimneys and narrow windows, speaks to the harsh living conditions endured by its inhabitants. Despite its grim history, the Union Workhouse in Pontardawe later became the Danybryn Hostel, providing shelter and support to those in need in a more compassionate and humane way. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the past, highlighting the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the progress made towards a more compassionate and equitable society. The photograph, taken in the 1870s, offers a glimpse into a bygone era, transporting us back in time to a period of great social and economic change in Wales and beyond. This image is an important historical document, shedding light on the living conditions and social welfare systems of the time, and serving as a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in addressing the challenges of poverty and destitution.
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