Cookham (renamed Maidenhead in 1890s), Berkshire
Up to 1834
A parliamentary report of 1776-7 reported that Cookham had a parish workhouse accommodating up to 90 inmates. There was also a parish workhouse at Bray.
After 1834
Cookham Poor Law Union was formed on 20th July 1835. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 15 in number, representing its 7 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
Berkshire:
Bisham (2); Bray (3); Cookham(3); Hurley (2); Shottesbrook; Waltham, St Lawrence (2); Waltham, White (2).
Later Additions: Maidenhead (from 1894).
The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 10,517 — ranging from Shottesbrook (population 138) to Bray (3,480) and Cookham itself (3,337). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1832-35 had been £3,946.
The new Cookham Union workhouse was built in 1835-6. The architects were Messrs. Cooper and Son of Henley, and the cruciform design was based on the model "square" design of Poor Law Commission architect Sampson Kempthorne. Initially intended to accommodate 200 inmates, the Poor Law Commissioners authorized an expenditure of £4,893.8s.7d on its construction. The building, constructed of yellow brick, with slate roofs was erected at a site on the north side of St Mark's Road to the west of Maidenhead. The workhouse location and layout are shown on the 1910 OS map — the Union had been renamed Maidenhead in 1th 1890s. Also visible is the isolation hospital which stood on the south side of St Mark's Road.
Cookeham workhouse site, 1910.
The entrance block was a long two-storey range facing east.
Cookham entrance range from east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Behind this, four accommodation wings radiated from a central hub, creating separate yards for the different classes of inmate.
Cookham accommodation blocks from south-west, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
From observation windows in the central hub, the activities in each yard could be viewed by the workhouse staff.
Cookham, view from observation window, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
In the mid-1890s, presumably coinciding with the Union's change of name to become Maidenhead Poor Law Union, new buildings were erected the site entrance. To the right of the entrance, was a block containing the Guardians' board-room.
Cookham new boardroom from south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
To the right of the entrance were a porter's lodge and receiving wards for new inmates.
Cookham entrance buildings from north-west, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
To the east of the main workhouse stands St Mark's Church dating from 1873 and built in the Victorian Gothic style.
Cookham, St Mark's Church from south-west, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Cookham St Mark's Church interior, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
The former workhouse buildings are now mostly used as administrative accommodation for St Mark's Hospital.
Staff
Inmates
Records
- Berkshire Record Office, Berkshire Record Office, 9 Coley Avenue, Reading, Berks RG1 6AF. Holdings include: Guardians' minute books (1835-42, 1845-1930); Admissions and discharges (1836-1850); Indoor relief lists (1836-42, 1854-1932); Births (1836-68); Deaths (1836-67); Assessment Committee minutes (1881-1901); etc.
Bibliography
- None.
Links
- None.
This page () is copyright Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
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