In Memory of Francis John Disney - Shepton Mallet Prison Historian

Photo via www.sheptonmalletjournal.co.uk

Shepton Mallet Prison historian and former officer Francis John Disney has died, aged 83. The prison has closed but its history lives on thanks to Mr Disney whom in 1984 was given the Queen's permission to write The Heritage of a Prison HMP Shepton Mallet 1610-1985. It was followed by a sequel called Shepton Mallet Prison: 380 Years of Prison Regime.

When Shepton Mallet Prison closed in March last year, Mr Disney was on site showing people around and sharing his wealth of knowledge.

Let's hope the right decision is made to save the prison and re-open the Frances Disney museum in his memory .

Bridgeman Ltd - Renovation of Sales House

Sales House today owned by Bridgeman Ltd pictures taken April 2014

Bridgeman Ltd bought Sales House from the Housing Association. The flats were in disrepair and had been boarded up, leaving the house derelict. 

Owned by the Housing Association - Pictures taken in 2011 

Owned by the Housing Association - Pictures taken in 2011 

Work has progressed over the last two years and the building is in the final stages of the renovation

The early Georgian Convent has been divided into three large apartments. 2014 

Three flights of stairs were renovated in the hallway. Hundreds of spindles were hand crafted to replicate the original ( you can imagine how much they cost)

Converted from flats to four, three story houses.The dye house is nearly completed.

Wonderful views across the grounds

We wish the Bridgeman family all the best with their bid tomorrow for HMS Prison Shepton Mallet and hope they save another historic building.

.....Here's a preview of what Sales House was like inside before they started work. Shocking! 

I hope the Housing Association don't buy the Prison!

HMS Prison Shepton Mallet - Plans Exposed

Drawing by Pointcloud

New plans released by Pat Bridgeman today in the Shepton Journal. Could the prison be saved and bring wealth to the area. A heritage centre /town museum, hotel, leisure facilities, restaurant, bars and cinema are some of the proposals by Bridgeman Ltd. The most positive news is that he intends to preserve all old buildings within the walls (knocking down only new structures) Guided tours are also on the agenda. Pat will also ensure the town centre and surrounding areas of historic interests are bought into the plans. At last someone has the insight and passion to preserve history of global interest. 

This is the good news but we will have to wait as bids go in at the end of the month. We have also been exposed to news that housing could be a possibility by alternative bidders. Planning by Mendip District Council and English Heritage have already been lenient for such a development....my fear is that housing within the walls is already on the agenda as a priority.

Wells has a Cathedral, Glastonbury a Tor...wouldn't it be great if the prison of such historical importance was another tourist attraction for the area.

Facts about the prison on wikipedia

Read the full story in Shepton Journal including a similar proposal by a local charity bidder