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Llanelly (Llanelli), Carmarthenshire

[Up to 1834] [After 1834] [Staff] [Inmates] [Records] [Bibliography] [Links]

Up to 1834

No information.

After 1834

Llanelly Poor Law Union was formed on 24th October, 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 17 in number, representing its 10 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):

County of Carmarthen: Bettws, Kidwelly, Kidwelly St. Mary (2), Llanedy, Llanelly (4), Llangennech, Llanon (2), Pembrey (3).
County of Glamorgan: Lougher, Lougher (Borough).

The population falling within the union at the 1831 census had been 17,000 with parishes ranging in size from Kidwelly (population 246) to Llanelly itself (7,646). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £4,404 or 5s.2d. per head.

The Llanelly Union workhouse was erected in 1837-8 at the north side of the Swansea Road. The Poor Law Commissioners authorised an expenditure of £2,800 on construction of the building which was to accommodate 200 inmates. Its location and layout are shown on the 1921 map below.

Llanelly workhouse site, 1921.

The layout of the workhouse followed the popular square plan with a two-storey entrance and administrative block at the south, connecting to a central supervisory hub. Accommodation ranges for the different classes of inmate (male/female, infirm/able-bodied) radiated to the north, east and west with the areas in between forming segregated exercise yards.

Llanelly entrance block from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly entrance block from the south-east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly entrance block from the south-west, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly main entrance, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly entrance hall, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly central hub and rear of front block from the west, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly eastern range block from the south-east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Llanelly entrance block from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Troops were billeted at the workhouse during the Rebecca Riots of 1842-3 and one of the ringleaders, David Davies, was held there for interrogation before being removed the County Goal at Carmarthen and later transported to Australia.

In 1892, the guardians invited tenders for the erection of sick wards at the north of the workhouse, together with other additions and alterations, to plans by W. Griffiths. The building contract was awarded to Mr T. Hughes. Mr Hughes, despite his tender being a little above the cheapest to be submitted. This led to the guardians being accused of favouritism towards Hughes, who was closely associated with Liberalism in the town. In 1897, tenders were sought for further alterations and additions, also designed by Griffiths, which included a new boardroom.

After 1930, the former workhouse was redesignated as a Public Assistance Institution. After 1948, the site became Bryntirion Hospital and continued to provide geriatric care until its closure in September 2004. The site was redeveloped in 2006-7 and, after a successful campaign by the Llanelli Community Heritage group, the entrance and hub sections of were preserved as part of the new buildings.

A separate T-shaped building immediately to the west of the workhouse served as the union's children's home from around 1900. It later became the town's register office.

Llanelly union children's home from the south-west, 2004.
Courtesy of Llanelli Community Heritage.

A campaign in 2004 to save this building unfortunately proved less successful and it was demolished in 2005.

Staff

Inmates

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

  • Carmarthenshire Archives Service, Parc Myrddin, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, SA31 1HQ. The only surviving local records appear to be Guardians' minute books (1836-1930).

Bibliography

Links

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