Old Jail’s Roof Receives Attention
One of Heidelberg’s many jewels, the Old Jail in Jordaan Street, will be receiving an upgrade.
One of Heidelberg’s many jewels, the Old Jail in Jordaan Street, will be receiving an upgrade from the Heidelberg Heritage Association (HHA) within the following year.
HHA held a meeting on June 19 where the restoration of the Old Jail’s roof was one of the primary topics discussed. The first phase of restoration will be to replace the old gutters.
“That is the big problem with the roof at this stage. The gutters are completely blocked, which means that rain water stays on the roof and then seeps inside. This leaves us with a leaking roof,” Flip Minnaar (public relations officer) explained.
A budget for the year has been developed to assist the funding of the project. The restoration of the Old Jail’s roof is merely one of many projects that the HHA will be facing. The HHA will also start a library project.
They are looking to collect articles, books and literature about the history of Heidelberg to form a library. The HHA invites all members of the public to send information regarding written historical pieces that the HHA needs to know about and what methods can be used to get a copy. Anyone with information can phone Esté Galloway on 082 550 1787.
The HHA plans to make a list of tour guides for visitors to Heidelberg. The tour will take visitors to historical sites in Heidelberg. The HHA also discussed the process of getting the Old Jail (and a list of other local heritage sites) registered as provincial sites in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.
“Concerns were raised that owners and institutions are either misinformed or simply ignore the prescriptions of the Act, that includes the role that municipalities are supposed to be involved in the application of the Act,” Minnaar concluded.
The HHA also discussed the upgrade and repairing of the restrooms of The Old Jail. Persons who would like to assist can phone Galloway on 082 550 1787.
The HHA’s next meeting will be held on July 24 at 19:00 at the Old Jail in Jordaan Street, Heidelberg. For more information phone Tony Burisch (secretary) on 072 460 9663.
