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Hothfield Common and West Ashford Workhouse, Kent
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Hothfield Common and West Ashford Workhouse, Kent
A view of Hothfield Common near Ashford, Kent. A girl stands with a parasol. In the distance is the West Ashford Union workhouse, later Hothfield Hospital
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Media ID 4465065
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10416148
Ashford Common Country Side Health Homeless Homelessness L Aw Parasol Poor Poverty Treatment Workhouse Workhouses Hothfield
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of respite amidst the harsh realities of poverty and hardship in early 20th century Kent, England. The scene unfolds on Hothfield Common near Ashford, where a young girl, dressed in her Sunday best, takes refuge from the sun under the shade of a parasol. In the distance, the imposing silhouette of the West Ashford Union Workhouse stands as a stark reminder of the social and economic challenges of the time. The West Ashford Workhouse, later known as Hothfield Hospital, was established in the late 1800s to provide relief and shelter for the destitute, the elderly, and the infirm. The building, with its formidable walls and barbed wire fencing, was a symbol of the harsh law of the Poor Law, which required able-bodied paupers to work in exchange for shelter and sustenance. The photograph, taken around 1910, offers a glimpse into a bygone era of rural poverty and hardship. The girl's presence on the common, away from the workhouse, suggests that she may have been temporarily released or granted a day of freedom. The use of a parasol, an accessory often associated with the upper classes, adds an ironic contrast to her circumstances. The photograph also serves as a testament to the evolution of social welfare and healthcare in the 20th century. The West Ashford Union Workhouse eventually transformed into Hothfield Hospital, providing medical care and treatment to those in need. Today, the building stands as a reminder of the historical significance of social welfare institutions and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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