Many of us have had ancestors who, for one reason or another, found themselves in the Workhouse, an institution held in horror into the 20th century. In February 2013 a new book (A Grim Almanac of the Workhouse) is out which contains "365 incredible tales of fires, drownings, explosions and disasters, [and] infamous scandals such as the Andover affair". It sounds like it could offer an interesting insight into conditions in many workhouses but probably not suitable for bed time reading! Full details: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/Bookshop/details.aspx?titleId=2943 -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Ashcott, Shapwick, Greinton and Clutton, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk