The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

Clink Charity – Brixton Prison

 

It may have been raw and chilly outside, and indeed very wet underfoot as yet another storm passed overhead, dropping its contents in profusion, but on Wednesday, 27 November, nine members of the Company, accompanied by relatives and friends, made their way up Brixton Hill – to check in with the Clink charity,  Brixton prison.

As one would expect of a prison, security was tight, and into the lockers went all the contents of our pockets and many other things besides, especially gadgets such as mobile phones. Then through X-ray machines, body searches, and the like before heading in a larger group to the comfort and warmth of the restaurant.

We had pre-ordered our menu selections, and at a leisurely pace the majority preferences were for duck rillettes, roast turkey and pear & ginger pudding. No alcohol, obviously, but a wide selection of cocktails and other delights were on offer. Robust plastic cutlery was the order of the day, for security reasons. And even though it was not yet quite December, we pulled crackers, adorned our heads with paper hats and, yes, cracked silly jokes. Mine: “What do you call recently married spiders?”. Answer: “Newly webs”.

So to paying the bill. A very reasonable price, and it would be difficult to get a decent three-course meal elsewhere in London today at this level. We were able to leave a substantial donation to the Clink charity, which works to train prisoners in hospitality skills and provide them with a secure living upon release, whilst reducing the possibility of re-offending.

James Dixon

 

{Photo of exterior of Brixton Prison on a fine day}