Our COG blog was very pleased to receive from Mike Clayden his wonderful recollections of the Old Gaol and its importance to the town centre as a place for local people to enjoy. Many thanks for this, Mike.
My name is Michael Clayden and between 1977 and 1980 my father Roy Clayden managed the Old Gaol leisure centre. He took over when we moved from Swindon as he had previously managed the Oasis leisure centre.
My memories of the Gaol are many but what I can say is being part of the Gaol changed my life. I was a devoted exponent of the martial arts and I mingled with the Chinese guys who ran the takeaway next door to learn more skills off of them. An employee of my father's was the giant sized kung fu and boxing expert, Big Dave Townsend.
Dave very kindly took me on as his student, and through him and the gaol life I met with martial artists from all over the UK and even the world! Some of the challenges I had there were from very tough guys I can tell you and the sparring matches were always held in secret, usually in the little theatre which was on the 1st floor. Glad my Dad didn't get to know about those!
I also got a chance to meet the legendary Paddy Monaghan of Abingdon. Paddy ran the boys boxing club at the gaol but what a lot of people didn't know was he was actually the middle weight bare knuckle boxing champ of Ireland and great Britain. Some of his and my story is recounted in the book "The Guv'nor-through the eyes of others".
Paddy was well known in the Gaol, mostly for his close friendship with Muhammad Ali, and they are still friends today.
Wasn't all punch ups though as there was respect all around and the friendly atmosphere of the Gaol attracted all kinds of people to it. I remember Dad telling me that one day he was in the art gallery section in the upper region of the gaol. One of the staff came up to him and pointed out that a gentleman in the gallery would like to meet him and pass on his comments about the Gaol. Dad introduced himself and the man replied in a soft welsh accent "hello my name's Anthony Hopkins", yes it was the Anthony( Hannibal Lector) Hopkins.
I have often wondered if the Gaol setting had any influence on the look of his "cell" in the film "Silence of the Lambs". We had many well known stars come to the gaol to perform.
I recall Pete Murray doing his radio show from there and Des o Connor also doing a show. One of the jobs I took care of my self was taking the tickets on the door of the little theater on cinema nights. Our projectionist was a lovely man called Gus but I think he was a tad deaf as patrons were always asking for the sound to be turned down. Films ranged from comedies like the Gene Wilder "Silver Streak" to dark thrillers like "Straw Dogs" , which I remember packed a full house on its four nightly showings.The funniest memory I have of the doing the door on the cinema nights was when I accepted a bet that while the underwater thriller " The Deep" was showing I would take the tickets dressed in swim goggles and flippers.
Of course I did it, much to great amusement from our patrons and a few shocked looks too. Often I would sit and talk with a gang of eighteen year olds who were regular users of the bar and the downstairs juke box. They were a great laugh and very much a part of the Gaol "family". Even now when ever I hear Ian Drury and the Blockheads belting out "hit me with your rhythm stick" or Tubeway army's "cars", I know where I heard it first, The Old gaol.
My Dad did his best to improve the Gaol but things were just not working out although he did make many friends there. He went on to run a pub in Childrey near Wantage for many years and was very much involved with the MG car racing circuit. Dad sadly died of cancer in January 2007 at the age of 72. before he passed on he had a chance to speak to several people who worked with him at the gaol including Big Dave Townsend who still keeps in touch with me now.
I do hope that the Gaol; will be given a new lease of life to the general public and the townspeople who hold a special place in their hearts for it. I know my Dad had often mentioned that he hoped that the Gaol would be saved too.
I include a photo of my late father and past manager of the Gaol and of a recent reunion I had with Big Dave taken outside the Gaol walls naturally.
