Lack of (National) Compassion

26/01/1861

Information

During a recent spell of very bad weather, the Guardians of the Peterborough Poor Law Union had granted temporary outdoor relief to some able-bodied agricultural labourers who had been unable to work through no fault of their own. as a result, the National Board had requested that they be furnished with a statement showing the number of persons relieved that were at variance to the General Prohibitory Order. They also requested particulars of the number of persons in each family and the amount of relief that had been afforded. At this Saturday's meeting of the Board of Governors of the Peterborough Poor Law Union, the clerk read a letter that had come from the National Poor Law Board. It stated that 'having regard to the accommodation afforded by the workhouse, and to the number of inmates therein, the Board thought it desirable that the Guardians should, in future, should offer to relieve the necessities of this class of person in the workhouse. They should apply that test of destitution so long as circumstances permitted with regards to each application.' In other words, 'rules is rules', and using common sense and compassion are not allowed. (Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

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Stained Glass for St John's

10/10/1884

Information

Stained glass windows are the pride of any church, and St John's church is no different to the rest in this regard. On this day, a faculty was proposed to remove stained glass from the central east window and replace it with glass representing Messrs Butler & Bayne. It also records the church's intent to place stained glass in the east windows of the north and south aisles. These windows were to represent the 'Resurrection and Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost' and the cost of £780 was to be met by James Pears Esq of No. 1, The Crescent, Peterborough. Once done, the stonework of the east windows of the north and south aisles was to be restored in accordance with plans agreed on 19 January 1882. Based in Covent Garden, London, Butler & Bayne were one of the leading firms of Gothic revival stained glass manufacturers, whose work was commissioned by the principal Victorian architects. During a long career, the firm produced stained glass for numerous churches throughout Britain, the Empire and even the United States. Their work was to be found in Westminster Abbey, Wimborne Minster and Peterborough Cathedral (1864). St John's was aiming high. (Bull, J & V., A History of Peterborough Parish Church - St John the Baptist 1407-2007)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.