Brindle's Workhouse

by Steve Williams

The path to the old Workhouse

'Christmas in the Workhouse, December 1853'...

"The inmates of Brindle Workhouse in the Chorley Union, to the number of one hundred and eleven, were on Christmas Day made the objects of the kind benevolence of the Guardians of the Poor. The dinner, as in former years, consisted of good English fare - beef and pudding. The humble party highly enjoyed themselves and expressed the strongest sense of respect and thankfulness to the kind donors by whose bounty their hearts had been so gratefully gladdened"

...taken from the 'Preston Pilot & County Advertiser', 31st December 1853.

Although Brindle Workhouse played a significant part in village life for well over a century, no detailed research has been carried out and its full story remains untold. The Historical Society would be interested in assisting anyone who would like to explore further.

The bare bones we know: built under Hough Hill in 1734 from the old Catholic Chapel at Top o'th' Lane, it acquired notoriety as a place to send difficult cases, and until 1816 was used for "pauper lunatics" as well as for the destitute. In 1857 it was stated to be "capable of housing about two hundred persons exclusive of children at the breast". The North Lancashire Directory for 1866 lists George Matthews as master of the workhouse and according to the Chorley historian, George Birtill, in November 1871 "the master met his death on a night that was wet, dark and stormy" at Lower Copthurst bridge when he and his assistant were drowned under the upturned carriage (the bridge is still in place today, on Birchin Lane).

The Workhouse wall viewed from Denham Hill

The general position of the workhouse is still visible at the end of the row of weavers cottages at Top o'th' Lane (see photograph). When one walks along the footpath by the stone wall on a late afternoon in winter it is easy to catch the old unhappiness of this place of last resort. Early Brindle Parish Council minutes reveal an interest in retaining the old original names of roads and lanes; Workhouse Lane is one we were happy to forget. The exact date of closure and demolition of the building remains to be established.

Do you know any further information, or better still have you any photographs or press cuttings? Please get in touch with us via our Contact Us page.

© Brindle Historical Society

Should you wish to copy/use articles from this section, please seek permission from our Secretary via our Contact Us page.

Back to Features page