"ROGER.WILLIAM.FERN" wrote:
> BRITISH WORKMAN
> ----------------------------
>
> In the first instance, I'm asking this on behalf of a friend, but I'm
> interested to know the answer myself.
>
> This friend has come across the fact that a building in Low Fell
> (Gateshead) was, about 1870, a "British Workman". (Another contact
> knows of another "British Workman" in the lead mining area of
> Teesdale.) She (and I) would like to know more about this phenomenon.
>
> We are already clear (or clearish) about the following:
>
> 1. "British Workmen" were fairly certainly a chain of temperance
> cafes, aimed at keeping the labouring classes away from the demon
> drink.
>
>
> a. Was it just a North of England phenomenon ?
I don't know if you are only interested in an exactly named "British
Workman", but your query as to whether it was just a northern phenomenon
brings to mind the establishment in 1861 by Mrs Bayl(e)y of the Workman's
Hall in London's Notting Hill. Mrs Bayley was "the well-known worker for
the moral and spiritual elevation of the masses, and authoress of 'Ragged
homes and how to mend them' "
A report on the previous year's work was presented to a meeting held on 18
April 1865 and attended by 'friends who are interested in promoting the
welfare of the working classes. The meeting began with a prayer
expressing, 'gratitude to Almighty God for the rescue of so large a number
of persons from the thraldom of drink, through the shelter afforded by
this Workmen's Hall...'
Apart from religious activities on Sundays, there was a full programme of
activities. The provision of a newspaper reading
room, refreshments, and space for resting and meeting friends, encouraged
many for whom 'a daily visit has become the habit of their lives.'
Monday evenings provided a home to the 'Friends of Labour' and the 'Mutual
Loan Society' which, after six years, had 300 members and a total of £1141
in total on loan. Tuesdays were set aside for temperance work such as the
Band of Hope, Wednesdays for lectures, Thursdays for bible study, Fridays
for penny readings, and Saturdays for debates. Some free accommodation was
available, but not for gamblers or users of bad language.
Around 1865, helped by the well-known hydropathist Richard Metcalfe, ably
seconded and encouraged by Mrs Bayley, jointly established at the
"far-famed workman's hall an hydropathic dispensary [including a Turkish
bath] where, for a time, the poor were treated without charge...'
Hope this is of some interest.
Malcolm
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