Composition No 318 - Robert Owen

Founded by David Dale in 1785, the village of New Lanark became famous as a model industrial community under the enlightened management of Dale's son-in-law, Robert Owen, from 1800-1825. Owen transformed life in New Lanark with ideas and opportunities which were at least a hundred years ahead of their time. Child labour and corporal punishment were abolished, and villagers were provided with decent homes, schools and evening classes, free health care, and affordable food.
In return they had to work in medieval factory conditions, spend tokens in the community store to buy provisions and conform to good Christian values. Down the road from New Lanark lies the David Livingstone Museum ......................