By D. Peter


The Ulverston-Lancaster Railway (later merged with the Furness Railway) was opened in 1857. On August 29th of that year a celebratory dinner was served up ‘in a splendid marquee in the grounds of Furness Abbey…The spread…was one of the most recherche description…there were two striking features placed upon the centre table…viz. the boar’s head and the Bastion of Pigeons on Sockles.’

Bill of Fare

  • Boar’s Head & Bastion of Pigeons on Sockles
  • Raised Pies of Grouse & Venison
  • Galantines of Geese & Veal
  • Dishes of Bechamel Poulardes
  • Hams Carved
  • Dishes of Roast Fowls
  • Dishes of Roast Grouse
  • Roast Quarters of Lamb
  • Large Pieces of Daubed Beef Tongues
  • Round of Beef – ornamented with various devices
  • Lobster salads
  • Mayonnaise of Chickens
  • Chicken Salads
  • Trout a la Slaney
  • Slices of Salmon a la Belle Vue
  • Eels with Monpelier Butter
  • Macedoine Jellies
  • Liqueur Jellies
  • Portugese Creams
  • Raspberry Creams
  • Fruit Tarts
  • Pastries
  • Models in Confectionery:
    • Ruins of Furness Abbey
    • Train in motion
  • Wines of every description
  • Claret Cup
  • Cider Cup
  • Grapes Pines, Peaches
  • Apricots, Apples, Cakes, Ices

From ‘The Dietary’, Report of the Board of Guardians of the Lancaster Union, 1843.

By contrast, at the Lancaster Union Workhouse in 1843, male inmates were receiving two pints of oatmeal porridge and one pint of milk for breakfast and two pints of milk porridge for supper with eight ounces of bread. On Monday, their dinner consisted of two pints of hough soup with eight ounces of bread. On Tuesday, one herring and one and a half pounds of potatoes. On Wednesday, two pints rice milk and four ounces bread. On Thursday, a repeat of Monday’s menu. On Friday, two pints beef scouse and four ounces bread. On Saturday, two pints pea soup and eight ounces bread. On Sunday they had three ounces of bacon, one and a half pounds of potatoes and four ounces of bread. Sunday supper consisted of three ounces of cheese and one pint of milk with bread. Females received the same food but a little less of it.

Published in Mourholme Magazines Issue 12 Autumn 1986