Re-think proposed sale of the Old Prison at Northleach –give the community time.
We the undersigned petition the Cotswold District Council to postpone its plan to sell the Old Prison at Northleach, allowing until the end December 2012, before review; to allow sufficient time for open and fair public consultation and consideration of viable options for the future of this important site and historic collections.
The Old Prison at Northleach is one of the most important assets owned by CDC on behalf of the residents of the North Cotswolds. It’s sale now would affect our whole district not just the town of Northleach. It is a valuable community resource, used by young and old alike, which not only encourages understanding of our history but also supports exploration of all that our beautiful area (and AONB) has to offer. The site has special historic interest nationally as an early example of a model prison with so much to see. It is also the site of a collection of rural artefacts of immense cultural importance, locally and nationally. Being on our main transport route it is an ideal location for district residents and tourists to reach. It is the jewel within in the portfolio of CDC owned assets and there is nothing else like it. Over the years it has gone from prison, to skills centre, exhibition, offices and café, to name but a few uses; this demonstrates it has already adapted over the years to meet needs for our area as required. We should not let it be sold off and lost to the community – we will only regret this in the future.
This Old Prison is part of our community heritage, and has great potential; and it should not be sold for development except as a last resort after an open public presentation of the case for and against. The building was originally transferred to CDC ownership in the expectation that CDC would be a good steward of this important heritage and collection on behalf of the whole community. We ask the Council to reconsider its plans and let a rescue package be prepared in consultation with local residents.
See more on this important topic on Northleach town’s website northleach.gov.uk.
98 signatures
Petition Closed
Signatures
| 98 | carolyn minty |
| 97 | Paul Morrish |
| 96 | Bill Hunt |
| 95 | Michal Morse |
| 94 | Nigel Bray |
| 93 | Andrew Lewis |
| 92 | John Pike |
| 91 | Robert Irving |
| 90 | Sara Salvidge |
| 89 | rosemary king |
| 88 | Les Robins |
| 87 | Bridget Ashley |
| 86 | David Colbourne |
| 85 | John Putley |
| 84 | William Harrison |
| 83 | David Poole |
| 82 | Jane Dawson |
| 81 | Howard Jenkins |
| 80 | Julie Harrison |
| 79 | David Searle |
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Comments
Once it's gone it's gone. The property market is in recession so whether from the point of history or making money this seems an absurd time to sell it. Time and publicity may yet allow an imaginative solution.
I had not believed party politics was so entrenched in our local council until the meeting on 28th. I thought councillors were elected to represent the local community, but when it came to a vote those sitting in one half of the chamber (Tories) voted blindly to reject our petition to delay the sale of the Old Prison allow more time for our rescue plan. Many other councillors who had voted last year to sell have now altered their opinion after learning more about the history of the Prison and the collection, and taking an intelligent interest - hence a close vote of 17 to 23. Despite losing the vote, we are optimistic that we may still save the museum and collection for the community.
Why do the councillors have to sit in political groups? They should all be mixed so they can communicate with each other. I believe they are told how to vote by a whip - unbelievable! This was denied when I asked some -but at a request to 'drop the whip' the chair made no response.
I am now very disillusioned about the probity of local government.
I kept hoping the Prison Museum was going to re-open, as we had been promised. The fact that so many people who came to the cafe wanted to see inside the Museum shows how much demand there was, and it could easily have opened part of the year as it had previously. Original excuse for closing was the (part-time) wages - then office staff moved in, and it was used for storage for the Corinium Museum. Once that was re-furbished we expected it would re-open...
It was great centre for exhibitions and celebrations. I used to send my customers there for inspiration for their dolls' house kitchens (until the too realistic smell of drains caused the closing of the basement!) I enjoyed seeing the films of coppers and blacksmiths, the small court room and the cells, where poachers could be imprisoned instead being deported.
We saved it from being let to a very sinister man and his father, who wanted to open a Museum of Torture, the opposite to the aims of the founder. The wishes of the Lloyd Bakers should not be ignored, and this rare example of a more humane prison should not be destroyed. The CDC must allow time for the Lottery bid and other funding to be found. Surely rent from the cafe, some offices, and the police house at the side should help fund the Museum.
My sister and I are descended from a former inmate and visited the prison together once. We were fascinated to peer into the windows of the closed museum which we would have loved to visit. Even a closed museum was much better than destroying part of our history. It should be reopened as part of our cultural heritage immediately.
Message from Diana Ray. Today, January 12 2012, I submitted the petition to Cotswold District Council. We have well exceeded the 850 required to trigger a debate of full council, and ask for a re-think about this important site and the historic collections. Over 1200 people have signed the petition (93 on line and many more on the paper version). A big THANK YOU to everyone who has signed the petition and also those who have made comments. It has been inspiring to see the depth of interest and to have so many people helping to make this happen in a short time. This is just step one in the attempt to save the building and collections. Please exert what influence you can and keep a close involvement in what happens, and offer your ideas and practical help. The Northleach Town website has the latest news.
I no longer live in Northleach but my father, Bill Fallows, former Head of Westwoods and a local Councillor, was passionate about the history of the town and I feel obliged to sign the petition in his memory. Fart too many buildings have disappeared without people understanding the importance of preserving our heritage. Dont let this be one of them. Dina Smith
I am appalled at the behaviour of the CDC over the sale of the Prison. They obviously have no interest in preserving this historic building which was one of the first Houses of Correction in the country and the wonderful work of David Viner the archivist at the Corinium Museum, Cirencester, a few years ago, in collecting all the artefacts and information regarding the Prison. I myself supplied information as my gt.grandfather was Superintendent Thomas Basson, stationed at the Prison. It has particular significance and importance to all our family who are scattered all over the world. All family reunions were based at the Prison, with people coming from American and Canada. I have directed many people to visit over the years. School visits, with exhibitions and displays of rural crafts etc. as well as serving the area with tourist information took place. After which the Prison was closed for several years until Blades eventually gained permission to have a cafe within part of it and then only last year the Conservation Society in another part.
The CDC has never had much interest in the history of the Cotswolds or the community and should be shot for their behaviour over this proposed sale, losing part of our heritage forever if it is sold, particularly as they are not waiting for the lottery bid the Conservation Society have applied for. It smells of underhandedness.
Julie Harrison
Julie Harrison
Decisions over the future of this historic building and valuable community facility should not be taken quickly, especially in such difficult economic times. I support the call to allow sufficient time for proper consideration and consultation with local residents, when reviewing the options.
The Cotswold AONB Voluntary Warden Service operates from its HQ in Northleach and my Council is so grateful for the attentions of the Cotswold Wardens. We are sure that their interventions are an absolutely key component in keeping the public rights of way network walked and in good condition. Long may they continue, they can’t be allowed to vanish as an organisation which is necessarily supported by the Cotswold AONB and GCC, despite the hard times that we find ourselves in. Currently wardens in our neck of the woods in Stonehouse fear the worst.
Tear the whole depressing dump down and build a Tesco store on the site, and the Lloyd Baker collection, well there's always Guy Fawkes night.