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Chapel / Dining Hall at Old Workhouse, Hunslet, Leeds
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Chapel / Dining Hall at Old Workhouse, Hunslet, Leeds
The Dining Hall of the old Hunslet Union workhouse, near Leeds, West Yorkshire, which was also used as the inmates chapel. Rows of benches are set with cutlery for a meal. A church organ stands at the far end. Date: circa 1903
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Media ID 23215960
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
Benches Chapel Cutlery Dining Hunslet Inmates Leeds Meal Organ Rows Stands Workhouse
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in time at the Old Hunslet Union Workhouse in Leeds, West Yorkshire, circa 1903. The image shows the Dining Hall, which doubled as the inmates' Chapel, filled with rows of benches meticulously set with cutlery, ready for a communal meal. At the far end, a grand church organ stands proudly, adding an air of solemnity and reverence to the space. The Old Hunslet Union Workhouse, established in the mid-1800s, was a place of last resort for the destitute, the elderly, and the infirm. The workhouse system, which aimed to provide relief and support to those in need, was notoriously harsh, with inmates expected to work long hours in exchange for meagre sustenance. The Dining Hall, where they would gather for their meals, was a stark reminder of their collective vulnerability and dependence. Despite the austere surroundings, the image also conveys a sense of community and shared experience. The rows of benches, each set with cutlery, suggest a communal meal, a brief respite from the daily toil and struggle. The church organ, a symbol of spiritual comfort and solace, adds a layer of complexity to the scene, hinting at the dual role of the Dining Hall as both a place of sustenance and a place of worship. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, a time when social housing and communal living were the only options for those in need. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of those who lived through it, and the importance of providing support and care for the most vulnerable members of society.
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