Picture this.....

.................Little Florence Cook was 5 years old, her brother Frances was 2. Normally, at the age of 5 most children have started enjoying their first year of School, but this was not the case for Florence or Frances because they were born in the Stroud Union Workhouse in the 1870's and were classed as paupers. Just two of the 299 residents recorded in the 1881 Census.

Classed as a "scholar", Florence would have received some education, albeit a harsh one. Although if she had had her wits about her, she may well have been taken on as a textile factory labourer as soon as she was nine years old and could operate machinery.