Industrial work in the Gorge was often insecure and injury, illness, old age, or death could lead to workers’ families suffering greatly. In a time before the welfare state, financial support was very limited and a fall in wages or being out of work could mean destitution.
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Whilst occupations were a large part of workers’ identities in the Ironbridge Gorge, the small amounts of leisure time they had were also important to them and shaped how they viewed themselves. The hardships they faced at work and at home also meant that the industrial workers of the Gorge used their leisure time to the fullest.
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