Filming for BBC at Langdale End, a 30s government unemployed camp
I’m an academic interested in lifelong learning. Keen on social justice, history, the environment, rugby, cinema, music, theatre, reading, hills, real ale, and a small Scotswoman. I Tweet as @John__Field
I have been researching Larbreck Gardens, Garstang Road, Lancs – PR3 0XS – old site with chalets dating back to 1934 – there were 30-40 of them. It’s now a licenced caravan site, but 25 of the chalets remain, with fenced curtilage, and annexed to the ground.
I drew a blank through the usual local sources of social history.
It was called Larbreck Camp and the bus stop is still referred to by that name! When I came across your website, looking for the definition of “Camp 1930s”, it was an exciting discovery.
I had no knowledge of the Ministry of Labour’s Instructional Centres for unemployed men.
Do you have any information that Larbreck was such a Camp? I would like to find more information and photos, if possible, if you could point me in the right direction! Thank you for your most interesting research and for sharing it.
Regards Barbara
I’m pretty certain that there wasn’t a Ministry of Labour centre at Larbreck, though I’ll carry on checking. The local press for 1934 is probably your best bet.
Thanks. Can’t think of any other reason why it would be called Camp and have so many buildings erected in a remote rural area. Will continue search of local papers. Barb
not so interested in these camps although I believe some of the men who went were not too happy about the food and the fact that if they left their unem;loyment benefit would be stopped.
John, am interested in your early work on the Battle of Southsea…a while ago I know but unlike you, I have stayed in Pompey and doing some research on its radical past…even if it limited!
could we communicate by e-mail?
cheers Alan Burnett
Sure Alan. Let me know where to contact you. Best wishes, John