The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 32 Spring 2020 | Page 23

take our phones in! The restaurant itself was well
appointed, comfortable and professionally run in
stark contrast to the high walls and barbed wire
which surrounded us as we walked across the
courtyard. We then set up the screen and projector
(which the Master Mariner had kindly lent us)
– no mean feat for two people as technologically
challenged as Andrew and myself!
The staff, all inmates, were absolutely delightful,
engaging and willing to talk about their difficult
stories. So many of them seemed to have chosen one
wrong path that inextricably led to poor decisions
resulting in their prison terms. All were in the
last year or so of their sentences and were keen to
pursue a training that would get them a job “on the
outside”. Many had ended up in prison as a result
of their inability to engage rationally and calmly in
confrontational situations. So, learning how to deal
with demanding lunch or dinner guests in a pleasant
and controlled manner is vitally important to their
success, once they leave prison and a hugely useful
life skill.
The afternoon tea with a delicious array of
sandwiches, scones and cakes were all made on
site by prisoners training to be chefs and were
totally scrumptious. A novel tea-based cocktail was
presented to everyone on arrival and a constant flow
of tea was available all afternoon. I was also lucky
enough to have a quick tour of the kitchens which
were most impressive and spotlessly clean.
I felt incredibly blessed to have met Geoff at
Ironbridge. He retired in 2008 and now travels
extensively around the world as a consultant for
prison reform. He presented a fascinating talk about
Women in Prisons with facts and figures, funny
stories and personal reminiscences. My favourite
was a story he told about a group of women on
gardening duty at Drake Hall. He saw them in gales
of laughter planting out spring bulbs on the bank
outside the prison. Having flowered a few months
later the sunny yellow daffodils spelt out the word
B*****KS!
This has been the most amazing year for me – I
have met so many wonderful women who will
be friends for life. Our past Mistresses have also
been incredibly supportive and kind. I wish Sam
and Adam all the best for what I hope will be a
memorable and happy year for them. A huge thank
you to our Clerk, Sandra too. Her organisation and
support throughout the year and in particular her
enormous help with planning this Mistress event
has been much appreciated - I couldn’t have done it
without her! Andrew hasn’t done a bad job either.
Bye for now, stay safe, stay at home and hopefully see
you all in the Autumn.
Kate Golding, Mistress
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