On Wednesday evening in the Victorian Chapel, we have a talk by Alan Bricknell on Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse in the 19th Century.

 

It is possible that when we think of the nineteenth century we have an idealised view of people’s lives based on the way in which they are depicted in films and dramas in cinemas and on television. But the reality for most who lived during that period was far removed from the posh frocks and grand homes of the well-to-do. According to the census of 1851 the Three Towns were the eighth largest conurbation in England and a survey ranked the area as seventh in national unhealthiness. A report in 1878 stated that Plymouth was in the top twenty towns for mortality, causing the gravest alarm amongst the inhabitants. This illustrated talk looks at what life was really like in the Three Towns for a large part of the population in terms of health, housing and industry.

 

Tickets available in advance from the cemetery office or on the door.