Get Into Jail Free!

Following the exciting and long-awaited news that local charity the Friends of the Cotswolds are the preferred bidder by Cotswold District Council to take ownership of the Old Prison building and site at Northleach, an open event to “show the potential” is being organised for local residents and supporters on Sunday 12 August.

The event, which will take place between 1.30pm and 4pm, will provide a unique opportunity to view parts of the site not normally open to the general public such as the Old Police Station.  As well as being able to enjoy a full guided tour of the site, including the original female cell block, the courtroom, the Rural Life Collection, the Escape to the Cotswolds discovery centre, plus other exhibits including the Gloucestershire Geology Trust Roadshow.

Visitors on the day will also have the opportunity to hear from representatives from the Friends of the Cotswolds, Northleach with Eastington Town Council and the Cotswolds Conservation Board on their proposed vision for the future of the site. Guests will be welcome to make suggestions and are especially  asked to bring any memories and anecdotes about the Old Prison site before it closed in the 1970s.

Chairman of the Friends of the Cotswolds, Simon Randall is keen to demonstrate their commitment to conserving the heritage of the building for the future: “During the past year, we have been immensely encouraged by the amount of support we have received from local people and visitors in our bid to save this wonderful site for the future enjoyment of many people.  We are now looking forward to meeting many of them next month as we share our future plans and listen to their ideas and hear about their memories of the Old Prison site. I’m sure it will be a very interesting day all round”

The event will start at 1.30pm and finish at 4pm on Sunday 12 August.  For further details, contact the Cotswolds Conservation Board on 01451 862000.

http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=NewsView&itemid=548

3 thoughts on “Get Into Jail Free!

  1. So pleased about the Prison – it was actually still open in the 80s, I used to send customers there to get ideas for their dolls' house kitchens from the one set out in the basement, so hope we can re-install that.
    Michal Morse

  2. Believe it or not, I visited this prison in the early 70s ! I had a memorable trip to the Cotswolds up to Cheltenham…

Comments are closed.