Toys from the past

Victorian toys including whipping tops, cats’ cradles, hoops and diabolos will be available for people to play with throughout the new season at Southwell Workhouse.

Games like hopscotch, marbles and noughts and crosses will also be played at toy workshops.

Children living at the Workhouse had very few toys to play with.

The boys had a few shuttlecocks and racquets and the girls had some wooden hoops.

Records show that when a governor offered to install a circular swing the offer was declined because it was felt it would encourage the children to be energetic, making them hungrier and wearing out their shoes.

Community learning officer at the Workhouse Miss Heather Whitworth (23) said: “Children enjoy comparing what Victorian youngsters had with the toys they have now.

“Older visitors like the nostalgia of being able to play with the toys they may have had as children and showing off their skills.”

The Workhouse opens to the public tomorrow. Toy workshops will take place one Saturday a month starting on April 26.