A talk in Thringstone on the life of Charles Booth attracted a full house last week.

Social historian and author, Sarah Wise, presented a fascinating insight into the life and labour survey carried out between 1886 and 1903.

The free event was held at the Charles Booth Centre and arranged by Friends of Thringstone.

Mr Booth, who lived for some time at Gracedieu Manor, spent what now amounts to around £2 million of his own money to put together a comprehensive survey into poverty in London during that period. 

His survey showed that over a third of Londoners were living in abject poverty, and his maps of the city show the social character of every street at that time through a system of colour coding.  

The audience listened spellbound throughout as they heard that in one house of 10 rooms, there were 90 people living in very crowded and unsanitary conditions.

As a direct result of his survey, the government of the time eventually agreed to an Old Age Pension in 1908 with the first pensions being issued on January 1, 1909.     

one of the tiles on the Millennium Stone on Thringstone Green. Photo: Supplied

Nita Pearson, chairman of Friends of Thringstone said: "It was a wonderful evening and we were delighted to have a full house, especially at the centre, which Charles Booth provided for the people of Thringstone and surrounding villages, and is the oldest community centre in the country.  

"We have had numerous requests to do a follow-up talk concentrating on Charles Booth's works around our own district, and are working to put on something towards the end of the year.  

"This could include a showing of the film Dr Wendy Freer produced at Gracedieu Manor when it was still a school, with the children acting out parts including one person playing Charles Booth."

For those wanting more information on Sarah, go to her website HERE, or listen to her broadcast from four years ago, which is still available by going to BBC Radio 4 – In Our Time, Booth's Life and Labour Survey.