Dirty Old Town : The 1855 Rawlinson Report on Sanitary Conditions in Hexham

This facsimile edition of Robert Rawlinson's report into the Sanitary Conditions of the People of Hexham in Northumberland is the result of a collaboration between the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne and Hexham Local History Society and is published in paperback and digital form by Hexham Local History Society. In 1854, Hexham made its first proper steps into the modern world. Until that date, there had been few forays into modernity as we know it. The coming of the railway was without doubt of great importance to the town in its relationship with the outside world, particularly the eastern portion of the Tyne Valley. But, in a sense, the railway was thrust upon the town, though money from it was used for the building of the Subscription School. The most significant change generated within the town before 1854 was the building of the gas works, which meant that the town was better lit than hitherto with its flickering oil lamps. Within the pages of Rawlinson's report the sanitary problems are described in considerable detail. But as well as this, the report touches upon many aspects of life in Hexham providing a fine picture of life in the town in 1853. For these reasons, it is very good that Rawlinson's Report is at last reaching a wider public.