The Arch of Tears

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Birmingham Workhouse Entrance: The Arch of Tears
 
    On the subject of The Green, I suppose I ought to mention our most infamous contributions as a district to Birmingham City. Winson Green is of course famous for what is now called HMP Birmingham - to us and previous generations: Winson Green Gaol. The Green was also home to a lunatic asylum, a fever hospital and of course the Birmingham Workhouse.
    The entrance to the place is in the photograph, and it's nickname 'The Arch of Tears' condenses the indignity, pain and eventual fate of the poor and under-priveleged of the parish into four bitter words.
    My Great-Great-Grandfather Godfrey Rudge who was born in Ruabon, Denbighshire died there, a widower, in poverty in 1906.

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