WILTSHIRE. Lock-ups at Amesbury, Great Bedwyn, Ansty, Melksham and Wooton Bassett.

I want to record the location of two more lock-ups in Wiltshire, both are probably

in private ownership.


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The lock-up at Amesbury was converted into commercial premises -  Lime Tree Houses,

2 High Street, SP4 7DL

 

 

 

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Apparently the lock-up at Great Bedwyn was in Brook Street. I haven't been able to find out anything about this lock-up but the photograph by Barry and Maureen Fitzgerald on Geograph, for which I am grateful, indicates that it is at centre of the photograph.

 

 

 



 

GREAT BEDWYN

 

Copyright Barry & Maureen Fitzgerald

Copyright Barry & Maureen Fitzgerald and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence


 

 

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Finally, there was a lock-up at Ansty near Tisbury but it doesn't seem to be there now.
Leslie Brook mentions it in his West Country Lock-ups book as being situated opposite the parish church (1970's?) and described it as a little stone structure which had been rebuilt in recent years with a modern circular window added. There is a sketch of it in Leslie's book which shows that it resembles the lock-up's at Buckland Dinham and Mells in Somerset.




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Any further information or photographs of these would be gratefully received.



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The lock-up in the Market Place at Melksham was demolished in 1946. It had been in use until 1847 when a police house and cells were built for the constable.
It was a small octagonal building and the roof had similarities to the one at Castle Cary but with a huge finger signpost on top which  in turn was topped with a gas lamp.

I am grateful to John Holmes of Melksham and District Historical Association for this information.

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 The lock-up or blind house at Wootton Bassett was removed from the open area under the stairs of the old Town Hall, High Street, SN4 7AA in 1895 when ownership of the building passed to the Town Council. At that time there would be holding cells at the local police station.  The Grade 11 listed building  served as council chamber and court room on  the upper floor.

 

WOOTTON BASSETT

Photo by Penny Mayes


© Copyright Penny Mayes and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
 

 I am grateful to Penny Mayes for the use of her Geograph photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

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