The Workhouse, Southwell /November 22, 2017 by Lisa Vining THE WORKHOUSE, SOUTHWELLA workhouse for the Victorian poor built in 1824 and in operation until 1929. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize "Money for old rope" is a saying that originated in the workhouse. Men would pick apart old rope and sell it back to ship owners to use as caulking between planks.