AT OUR meeting on Wednesday, April 13, we were given a very interesting talk by Mr. Banks on Northleach Prison. The prison was opened in 1793 and closed in 1859. The conditions were really harsh with prisoners sleeping on straw and being chained up at night. They got water from a stream which had been diverted under the prison. You could be jailed for vagrancy, picking up fallen apples and firewood, and poaching. The prison reopened as a correctional unit for minor crimes. Later it was used as a police station and then a Magistrates Court - today it is a museum. At the meeting we welcomed three new members who we hope will enjoy our future programmes.

On April 24 we are going for a five day holiday to Ireland then on May 18 there is a day trip to Longleat House and Safari Park.

Our next meeting will be on May 11 at 2pm for 2.30pm in the Congregational Church Hall. If you would like to "brighten" up your life then please do come along and join us.

D HARDIMAN.