EVIDENCE of harsh institutions for ‘fallen women’ in Herefordshire, similar to the Magdalene laundries in Ireland revealed in films such as the heartbreaking ‘Philomena’ starring Dame Judi Dench, is coming to light in a forthcoming stage production at Hereford.

Careful research into historic county records by writer Sara-Jane Arbury has shown that unmarried mothers, stigmatised by society, were placed in homes that operated in the county during the 19th and 20th centuries. In Feral Productions’ new work, ‘Hush Now’, directed by Estelle van Warmelo, the heart-rending stories of nine women are based on factual accounts recently discovered.

A Magdalene laundry was run as a ‘home for fallen women’ at the convent in Bartestree, said Sara-Jane. “We decided to see if this was a one-off,” she explained. Her studies at Herefordshire Archives and Record Centre revealed that it was not.

“We found that there were quite a few, not all of them run as Magdalene laundries but certainly places where women were stigmatised and almost hidden from society.” The 1871 census showed that a “number of nuns and inmates” were living at the convent.

“Research has shown that that this was for the ‘rescue and protection of young women’,” said Sara-Jane.

In 1899 an address in Ferrers Street, near Hereford Cathedral, acted as a “holding centre” she explained.

“Girls would go there and stay while placements were sorted out.” In 1903 the building proved too small for the numbers arriving from various parts of the country and the centre moved to St Nicholas Street and to Bridge Street.

“It was a kind of holding bay for the girls,” said Sara-Jane. “It didn’t matter how a girl became pregnant, it was seen as her fault and she would have to pay the penance.”

Working in a laundry was hard work. “Pregnant women would be ladling water out of huge coppers and using heavy irons,” she said.

In 1909 the Hereford Times reported on a case of “alleged sweated labour” at a laundry. “Convents were not places for jollity but for work, prayer and self-denial.” In 1932 a report referred to a Mother Superior “unlawfully disposing of a body”.

Revelations about the Magdalene laundries in Ireland brought widespread shock; a formal state apology was issued in 2013. “The laundries in Ireland were horrendous,” said Sara-Jane. “The girls would not have had an easy time.”

At Hereford, Sara-Jane promises that the portrayal of Magdalene and mother and baby homes will contain light-hearted moments. “It’s a project of trust with a pre-show in High Town and promenade performances in the Cathedral Close and Castle Street.”

Hush Now runs from May 28 – June 1 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 3pm.

To book call the box office on 01432 340555.