Wakefield Museums and Castles

Gosnay’s sold pork pies, Cheshire cheese and Wakefield gingerbread from 1844. The Gosnay’s shop stood on Northgate in Wakefield until the 1960s.

This hand cart delivered pork pies to businesses and venues. In 1884 it was part of a political scandal.

The secret ballot was introduced in 1872. People's votes at elections were no longer made in public. This made it harder for voters to be bribed or intimidated. But there were still fears about corruption.

At a Wakefield polling station during local elections in 1844, Alderman Watson laid on a feast. He provided champagne, sherry, beer and whiskey and ordered a huge batch of Gosnay's pork pies.

People claimed the lavish refreshments amounted to treating voters in an attempt to sway their vote.

What do you think - would Watson have got your vote?