It’s a Boy!

“It’s a boy!”

This is the fantastic news I received from a friend this week. It took me back to over 7 years ago when the midwife handled me my own beautiful bundle. I couldn’t have been happier.

When such news usually fills people with joy, how is it that for so many people the words “he’s a boy” can make them feel so angry and frustrated once their child starts school? It seems expected that boys will not develop as quickly as girls and will fall behind with reading and writing.

It is true that some girls will sit quietly reading and writing pages of beautiful text and some boys will not sit still long enough to put pencil to paper but such sweeping generalisations really do not help anyone. Do a search on “boys and reading” and a whole host of articles will pop up about how to encourage boys to read.

 

Stop, Look, Listen, Learn

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I have Shepton Mallet Prison to thank for introducing me to blogging.

Back in July 2015 I attended a public consultation event at the prison to learn about plans for the redevelopment of this 400 year old heritage asset following its closure in 2013.  For me the event raised many questions about the future of the site, but even more about its past. Overnight I went from simply being aware that Shepton had a prison, to being completely fascinated by it and its history.

A friend encouraged me to record my thoughts about the event in my first ever blog:

Shepton Mallet Prison – If These Walls Could Speak

Throughout its history the site’s foreboding perimeter walls excluded the local population (the law abiding ones at least!). That day in July was one of only a handful of times when the prison gates have been opened to the general public. It was certainly my first time through them.

The consultation event asked those attending to make important decisions about the future use of the prison and its buildings. How could I possible comment when I had no idea what I was looking at or even where I was within the labyrinth of corridors?

Since that day I have been on a mission to find out more about the prison and to share its stories with those who also wish to see the heritage of the building preserved, or who are just curious to know more. Along the way I have been brought into contact with many fascinating people; those who have family connections with the prison and those who used to work there. Through stopping, looking and listening I have learned more than I could have imagined about the history of the prison and our town.

With a planning application due to be submitted any day this story is not over yet. In fact I sense it is only just beginning.

To learn more about the prison campaign you can follow the Facebook page:

Creating a Vision and Future for Shepton Mallet Prison