How to help the unemployed in March 1922

[Reproduced from my 'Way Back Then' contribution to the Leamington FC programme]

In March 1922 it was reported that ‘an ambitious scheme for the adaptation of Welch’s Meadow as a park and recreation ground is being contemplated by Leamington Town Council.  Alderman W. Davis has offered a sum of money, running into four figures, as a practical contribution to the schemes in which he is a prime mover.  If the project matures, it will mean that ornamental and pleasure grounds will extend from the west to east boundaries of the borough with attractive open spaces as the “lungs” of the town.   

One of the designs is to provide a nice walk for the residents of the Spa, this to run along the river side and to wend its way into Radford Road.  The river would also be widened, thus opening up a sheet of water admirably suited for carnivals and regattas.  The park would cover an area of from 24 to 25 acres, a site large enough to accommodate an agricultural show, and to allow of cricket and football pitches, together with tennis courts.’

Outdoor relief

The comparative cost of ‘outdoor relief’ in Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick preoccupied the Board of Guardians at a long and acrimonious meeting.    Captain Percy told the Board that they were in arrears which could imply a considerable addition to the poor rate.   At present the rate was 11d in the pound [of rateable value] and ratepayers had considerable difficulty in meeting the demands.  In the last week for which figures were available £136 was spent on this in Leamington, in Warwick it was £13 and in Kenilworth £3.   This implied an annual figure of £7,124 for Leamington (£431,000 in today’s prices), £700 for Warwick (£42k) and for Kenilworth only £170 (just over £10k).

A range of views were expressed by the members.  Mr Gardiner said ‘Look at the difference in numbers. In Leamington there are 700 unemployed, and in Warwick there are only 400.   These people are unemployed through no fault of their own, and until we in Leamington can find them employment near home, there will always be unemployment.    The Reverend Broadway took a less generous view: ‘It looks as if something very extraordinary is happening in the amount given.   Something is wrong somewhere.  I have heard that cases are being dealt with very generously in Leamington.’ 

Mr Duffield took a contrary view: ‘If there are 400 people unemployed in Warwick and 700 in Leamington, surely we in Warwick are not treating our unemployed in a proper manner.  I consider that the relief in Warwick is inadequate.   It does not seem a case of decreasing the relief in Leamington, but increasing it in Warwick.’  It was suggested that a committee be formed to look into the matter, but Mr Canning pointed out that this would make no difference.  ‘”I take this as an attack on the Leamington Committee”, he declared, “and we at Leamington are doing our duty”’.

The supply of free bread

The committee then fell out over the question of supplying bread.   ‘The Leamington Out-relief Committee recommended that no tenders should be invited for the supply of bread and that bakers should be treated the same way as grocers and provision dealers.   Mr Albert England said that under the present system of contract, some of the people receiving bread in out-relief had to walk a considerable distance to the shop of the contracting baker.’  

Alderman Baker spoke about the virtues of competition and said that its absence might lead bakers to increase their prices.  Challenged by Mr Ballinger, Alderman Davis accused him of abusing his position as a businessman. An eventual compromise was that there should be no tenders for six months.