I’m reminded of the saying, “you don’t get if you don’t ask” in this next story from March 1896.
The Blantyre Parish Council at met at High Blantyre for their monthly meeting on the first week in March 1896. On the agenda that particular meeting was to discuss the many applications for poor relief. That is applications from Blantyre residents for financial assistance.
However, reporters commented that night in amongst the serious nature of the business, an incident occurred, unexpectedly and one which left the council in awe of the ‘cheek of one Blantyre woman’.
Whilst the meeting was underway, a knock arrived at the door. With the weather very inclement that night, it was decided to bring the woman inside. Since she had made the effort to come to the building. Though public weren’t invited, it was decided to let her have her say.
No one knew who the woman was, but first questioning revealed she was a widow from Stonefield with five children and it was learned that the woman was actually already in receipt of some generous relief of 8s per week from that very council. The Council men were curious as to what the woman wanted.
She then explained that she had found love again and was about to get re-married. But finances were difficult and paying for the wedding, outwith the reach of her and her new man. She understood her poor relief would end when she got married, that was given and accepted, but how was she to marry if she couldn’t afford to? Putting it to the Council, she explained that they would be paying out 8s per week unnecessarily until she could save enough to be wed. Or….they could just give her £20 right now which would allow the marriage to take place and thus the relief could end, ultimately saving them money.
Now £20, in 1896 was worth around £4,000 in today’s money, so the sum was considerable. The Council , despite accepting her logic, stuck to their principles and said they were NOT in the habit of paying for weddings for Blantyre residents, nor would be willing to consider doing so. Upset at the decision, the woman, then bartered saying she would settle for £12 instead. Again the council refused.
The woman then wanted to tell a more detailed story, but was stopped by a council vote on that matter with 5 votes to 2 favouring she was NOT heard out. She was then escorted to the door and asked to be on her way.
When the audacity of the whole event was over, the council then got back to business.
Interested in hearing your comments? Did the council do the right thing? Should they have made a concession? Did the woman have a good point or dangerous precedent?
