The Setting

The Old Roundhouse - Yr Hen Garchar

The Old Jail sits at the north-western edge of Llanidloes in Mid Wales. The first town on the River Severn, the Jail sits on rocks above its banks, the roar of the waters a constant in the ears of all inmates and visitors!

An aerial view from 1961 shows Huntsman's Cottage, the Spring Mill and the Old Jail visible to the top left of the image.
An aerial view from 1961 shows Huntsman's Cottage, the Spring Mill and the Old Jail visible to the top left of the image.
Another view, of the Sheep Fair on Kennel Fields in 1964, showing the buildings in the background.
Another view, of the Sheep Fair on Kennel Fields in 1964, showing the buildings in the background.
Llanidloes 1900 – depicting locations of some of the photographs of this book. NB the railway line is now the A470 Llani by-pass road.
Llanidloes 1900 – depicting locations of some of the photographs of this book. NB the railway line is now the A470 Llani by-pass road.

At the back of the Jail, the River Severn dominates, as shown here through the seasons:

Although a seemingly timeless view, some changes have occurred, as can be seen by comparing these pictures:

An image of the old weir from 1900, where Dick Meredith is believed to be the boy in the middle of the group on the right hand side of the image.