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From: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction No 765, Saturday February 27th 1836. Vol 1 p.147. London: printed and published by J. Limbird. Public Domain, accessed via Google Books.
In 1909 a Liberal government brought in a series of welfare acts which included pensions for the over-70s, national insurance and unemployment assistance. This relieved many of the causes of poverty, and the workhouses' days were numbered.
Society began to accept that people incapable of working were unable to do so through no fault of their own. Instead their unemployment might be due to sickness, disability, old age or childcare needs, or because work was scarce for economic reasons.
In 1930 many workhouses were redesignated as Public Assistance Institutions and made the responsibility of local councils. The Board of Guardians system was brought to an end.
Abingdon Workhouse was closed in 1931 and the site was sold to a company called Oxdon Lands Limited.
On 1 December 1931, at the last meeting of the Abingdon and Wallingford Guardians, arrangements were made for the transfer of the patients in the infirmary to Wallingford.
Demolition and building
Demolition and building
The North Berks Herald reported in 1932 that the buildings and land presented 'a desolate appearance' and said that the 12-acre site would be cut into 128 building plots. It said that 'as far as possible the fruit trees which were a feature of the old institution' would be left in the gardens. The site was claimed to be one of the healthiest and most desirable in the town.
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