Tregaron, Cardiganshire
Up to 1834
No information.
After 1834
Tregaron Poor Law Union was formed on 15th May, 1837. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians,
23 in number, representing its 22 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of
Guardians if more than one):
Tregaron:
Bettws Leiki, Blaen Penal or Llan Penal, Caron (2), Caron Uwch Clawd or Strata Florida, Dothie Camddwr, Dothie Piscottwr, Garth and Ystrad, Garthili, Gogoyan, Gorwyd, Gwnfil, Lower Gwnnws, Upper Gwnnws, Llanbadarn Odyn, Lower Llanfihangel Lledrod, Upper Llanfihangel Lledrod, Llangeithw, Llanio, Nantewnlle, Prisk and Carvan, Yspytty Ystrad Meiric, Yspytty Ystwith.
The population falling within the union at the 1831 census had been 9,558 with parishes ranging in size from Garth and Ystrad (population 110) to Caron (1,550). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £1,884.
The Tregaron Union workhouse, which bears the date 1876, was built at a site to the south of the town. Its location and layout are shown on the 1938 map below by which time the building was being used as a sanatorium.
Tregaron workhouse site, 1905.
The building comprised two parallel ranges separated by a short central connecting block.
Tregaron entrance block from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Tregaron entrance block detail, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Tregaron rear of entrance block from east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
The workhouse closed in 1915 with its inmates being transferred to Aberystwyth. The site was then taken over on a 99 year lease by the King Edward VII Welsh Memorial Association who converted it for the treatment of TB patients under the name of the King Edward VII Hospital.
King Edward VII Hospital, 1930s.
© Peter Higginbotham.
King Edward VII Hospital, 1930s.
© Peter Higginbotham.
King Edward VII Hospital, 1930s.
© Peter Higginbotham.
The rear accommodation block has been demolished. The site is now used as a community hospital and the former entrance block is used as administrative accommodation. The hospital is scheduled for closure and replacement by a new health facility for the area.
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.
- Ceredigion Archives, Old Town Hall, Queen's Square, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 2EB. The few surviving records include: Guardians' minute books (1868-1930); Financial records (1881-1930); etc.
Bibliography
- Higginbotham, Peter The Workhouse Encyclopedia (2014, The History Press)
- NEW! Workhouses of Wales and the Welsh Borders. The story of the workhouse across the whole of Wales and the border counties of Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. More...
Links
- None.
For US readers 
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