Projects
With such a large area as the Cotswolds, and a remit that covers the protection and enhancement of its heritage and environment, our projects can and do vary considerably. Read on to learn more about our current projects.
Tell Us Your Story – The History of the Old Prison
As part of our work to protect and enhance the heritage of the Cotswolds, we are collecting people’s stories and memories of the Old Prison from its time as a House of Correction, Petty Sessional Court and Police Station. By the 1930s the main cell blocks were no longer in use. Some 40 years later the Petty Sessional Court and Police Station also closed. An important part of preserving the history of this heritage building for future generations is to capture any stories or memories you may have. We would love to hear from you.
You can tell us your story about anything related to the Old Prison in Northleach by email to info@thefriendsofthecotswolds.org. We’ll be happy to contact you to check facts and obtain more information if needed. We hope that in collecting these memories we will be better able to tell the story of the Old Prison.
Thank you.
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The Old Prison
We became the proud owners of the Grade II* Listed Georgian Old Prison in Northleach in July 2013. The 18th century Georgian Old Prison is now a visitor attraction, café and home to the Lloyd-Baker Rural Life Collection. As owners of this important Grade II* listed heritage building, we continually work to improve the site as a heritage attraction.
We have plans to ensure that this heritage site is both preserved and enhanced so it can be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come. Essential work will soon need to be carried out on the roof and galleries and some of the artefacts will also require conservation work. This is no small undertaking. Our fundraising efforts have started in earnest now, and 2018 is a big year for us to make significant improvements to the Old Prison.
Watch this space later as we increase our fund raising efforts for the Old Prison. If you would like to help, either as a volunteer or by donating towards this cause, please visit our how to support us page.
The Old Prison is managed on our behalf by the Cotswold Conservation Board, who rent the site from us. They run the café, work out of the offices upstairs and make sure that the site is open for visitors to enjoy the court room, prison cells and Cotswold Discover Centre. If you’re interested in visiting the Old Prison please see our partner’s website for more details.
The Cotswold Craft Apprenticeship Scheme
Protecting the heritage of the Cotswolds is a natural step for us. Our research has shown a strong need for rural heritage-skills apprenticeships here in the Cotswolds. With significant gaps in the heritage skills sector, and a real need for these skills to maintain the heritage of the area, we are working to bridge this gap. What’s more, when delivered, this project will also provide the opportunity for local people to gain both qualifications and employment.
To deliver this project we hope to be partnering with a local college to jointly provide a full apprenticeship scheme for a number of different rural heritage-skills.
We are very close to meeting our fundraising target for this project. If you would like to help you can donate here.
Support Us
You can support our projects, click here to find out more