AN intriguing remnant from the forgotten past has been rediscovered – by a couple doing their spring cleaning.

Brian and Ailsa Coe were clearing out the cupboards at their Ripon home when they came across the curious – and voluminous – garment.

And on taking it along to the Ripon Workhouse Museum they discovered it was actually a nightgown made for a tramp and dated back to the 1930s.

Museum curator Anthony Chadwick was able to shed new light on the enormous gown, which would once have kept a “gentleman of the road” cosy at night.

“This is an original tramp’s night gown from the 1930s,” he said.

“On arrival at the workhouse tramps clothes would be taken from them and fumigated in a cabinet with a sulphur candle to kill any bugs.

“They would then be given a coarse cotton night gown like this to wear. This garment is standard issue with a one size fits all policy.”

The Ripon Workhouse Museum, which once provided food and shelter to the destitute, is housed in the area that was originally used to receive vagrants.

Tramps were allowed to stay for two days and were also given a bath on arrival – and those unlucky enough to arrive last would have to bathe in the same water previously used to wash up to 14 others.

Following a night in the inhospitable cells, most probably lying on a thin mattress laid directly upon the floor, the tramps would be put to work on a variety of jobs before having to leave.

The rediscovered nightgown was originally used at the workhouse in Knaresborough, where the vagrants’ ward continued in use until the 1950s when the site became Knaresborough Hospital.

Mrs Coe said: “Brian’s late mother worked at the hospital and saved the outfit for posterity when the hospital was closed down for redevelopment as housing.”

Visitors to the museum, regarded as one of the best-preserved workhouse sites in the country, can see the original vagrant cells and bathing facilities

For more information visit visit riponmuseums.co.uk, call 01765 690799 or email info@riponmuseums.co.uk.