COG Slogs On!

Well things have certainly moved along in the past couple of weeks: good news and bad news!

The good news is that COG has now collected more than 4500 signatures people in the area for their petition. The aims of the petition are (1) oppose the selling of the freehold of the Old Gaol by the Vale District Council, (2) preserve free public access to the river-front and gardens, and (3) to secure community use of as much of the building as possible.

Now the bad news. The Vale Council has decided not to make known (including to COG) the names of the developers of the Old Gaol site who are now to proceed to the final stage of bidding (around November). Effectively this will shut COG out of any possibility of making any contribution to the outcome of the selection process until it is too late, and public opinion will have been stifled on this important community matter.

The reason given by the Vale is commercial confidentiality. COG does not agree that this is a reasonable position for the Vale to take. In comparable schemes (eg the Oxford Prison site) the bidders names were available from an early stage. The COG team in any case see themselves as a group well able to understand and work within conditions of commercial confidentiality.

But on a brighter note! On Friday 13 (yes!) July, the date the Vale agreed the short list of developers, COG arranged to present to the Vale their petition signatures to date (more than 4500). This was done in the morning, before the Vale meeting. It was a splendid event, reported on TV in the BBC News. Pupils from Thomas Reade School, Abingdon presented the petition sheets to Council officials in boxes made by themselves in the form of a model of the Old Gaol designed by Pat Bryden. See the photos.

At the Vale meeting, Alison Mummery (COG member) and Lesley Legge (COG member and Town Councillor) gave statements in support of COGs aims and emphasised the need for the local community to be involved at this critical stage of selecting developers.

COG will be continuing to press for inclusion in this process and urging even more people to sign their petition in support.

Soon we will know!

This is a message from Hester Hand (COG Secretary) to all who are interested in the future of the Old Gaol in Abingdon.

Here is an update on events since our April meeting

1 Sale process As you have probably seen in the papers it, eight developers submitted Stage 1 proposals for the Old Gaol site. Only one of them, Brook Henderson, has contacted COG: their proposal looks exciting, including many of the features we have been pressing for, but until we know more about the other proposals we will keep an open mind rather than committing our support to any one.
Council officers and an advisory group of 6 Councillors are now reviewing the proposals to check that they comply with the criteria in the sale brief. They will recommend a shortlist for approval by the Executive on 13 July. We understand that all of the proposals which meet the criteria will be shortlisted – so the number could be anything up to eight.

We made a formal request to the Vale Executive on 1 June asking to be consulted during the Stage 1 deliberations and for the names of the other bidders so that we can contact them to discuss how we might work together if they are shortlisted for Stage 2. So far the Vale have refused to release the names so we have now submitted a further request under the Freedom of Information Act and await their response. Although there is no provision for formal consultation at this stage, we are talking to some of the Councillors and urging them to give due weight to community benefit (as well as financial and other “hard” criteria) in reaching their decision.

2 Petition Despite the intervention of the weather to spoil a number of our publicity events the petition has gone very well – at the latest count we have 3500 signatures. We will have a final effort on it from now till 8 July (see below for how you can help) then hand it in to the Vale shortly before their meeting on 13 July – hopefully with some razzamatazz and good publicity. We need a good turnout for that so please try to come along – will let you know when and where.

3 Future developments for COG When we see the shortlisted proposals we will be talking to each of the bidders about how COG can work with them to ensure that their Stage 2 proposals reflect community concerns. To ensure that we have suitable status for such discussions and are in a position to move quickly in response to any opportunities that arise we have been advised to establish ourselves as a limited company. The cost is minimal so we will be doing this very shortly. We would be interested to hear from any COG members who have experience of setting up or running a small limited company or charitable trust and could help or advise us in the next phase.

4 What can you do to help?
*** Get more signatures on the petition*** (I can provide more sheets if you need them, but please return them to the address is on the sheet by Monday 9 July . We find that direct contact is the most successful – get out on a fine summer evening (if we ever get any!) and knock on some doors.)
*** Get on-line signatures*** (e-mail your contact lists (but only those living in Oxfordshire please) and include the link to http://www.oldgaol.org.uk/ If your work allows private use of their e-mail system that can be a good source.)
*** Let us know if you have business, legal or financial skills or experience which could help us***

This is an exciting time - we will let you have more news after 13 July.

Hester

More Old Gaol Memories

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.

Jazz Trio Washed Out!

Along with many other events I expect, the Jazz Trio which was to perform today on Nag's Head Island was washed out by the rain which just went on and on in Bank Holiday fashion. Thanks anyway to Chris Brown, Darren Hasson-Davis and Aidan Thorne for their support of COG. We hope to re-arrange the event.

More Memories from the Old Gaol

This is a photo of the staff who worked in the Old Gaol at the time the old Leisure Centre opened in 1975. It was given to us by Betty Roberts, one of the receptionists. She is the middle one in the second row.

Jazz at Nag's Head

Anyone around Abingdon tomorrow afternoon Bank Holiday Monday 28 May might want to go along to Nag's Head Island for an hour of jazz in the open air from 4pm on. It's on the very pleasant grassed area just beyond the boatyard, and the access is by foot through the gate from Abingdon Bridge to the boatyard. The concert is in support of COG (Community in the Old Gaol), a voluntary group that is campaigning for community facilities to be available in thre building. We will be there from COG to collect signatures for our petition to have some voice in the development. Bids have been received by the Vale Couincil from developers but so far we don't from whom or for what.

There is a great view of the Old Gaol and the river from the island.

The jazz trio is Chris Brown - guitar, Aidan Thorne - bass, Darren Hasson-Davis - drums.

Hope to see you there - fingers crossed for reasonable weather!

Old Gaol Memories at Abingdon Leisure Centre

If you visit Abingdon Leisure Centre look out for the Old Gaol Memories board just inside the entrance. Please do read the interesting memories that people have left about the Old Gaol, and feel free to write any memories of your own on the paper slips. Looking at the board is Arthur, whose own memory was that "...the Old Gaol was a great place to have a party on a Saturday!"

Alternatively you could send us your memories by email to oldgaol@btinternet.com or contact our website www.oldgaol.org.uk. OR, you could send them as a comment to this blog. Just click the Comments button and follow the instructions then press Publish. You do not need a Google account unless you select that option.