A step back in time

Pupils had a taste of life as a Victorian child at Southwell Workhouse.

A total of 29 youngsters aged seven and eight from class 3HM at Barnby Road Academy, Newark, learnt what life would have been like for the children who lived at the workhouse.

They dressed in costume and had a Victorian lesson in the schoolroom before taking a tour of the building. They also tried Victorian games.

Teacher Helen Mitchell said the children enjoyed the experience.

She said: “We are doing a topic on Victorians and started it by going to the workhouse.”

l The final events of the workhouse’s tenth anniversary season take place next month,

On Saturday, October 6, visitors can sketch live models and still-life scenes as part of The Big Draw event.

An apple fun day is on Saturday, October 20, including making the longest apple peel, apple tours and trails, to coincide with Southwell’s Bramley Apple Festival.

A Graft, Gruel and Good-For-Nothings living history event is on Wednesday, October 24, featuring tales of life in the workhouse.

On Thursday, October 25, the workhouse’s properties operations manager Rachel Harrison will give a talk reflecting on the past ten years at the workhouse and looking ahead its future.

The workhouse closes on October 28, but will open for a Victorian Christmas event on December 7.