The Therapy Zone

   No.7's It Doesn't Really Mean Anything!

    Whichever way it faces, the canopied penny farthing on your village badge is just that. It doesn't donate which way you swing politically, to the left or to the right. It's just what it is!

No.7

    No.6 hasn't been seen anywhere in or around the village! Anyone I asked about him said that they had not seen him today. He had not been to the cafe, had not been seen climbing the Bell tower as he does on a daily basis. The Admiral-No.66 had been disappointed that No.6 had not turned up for their regular game of chess down at the old people's home. I even took a taxi ride to the hospital, just in case there had been an accident of some kind. But there hadn't been an accident. Nor could he to be seen in the Aversion Therapy room, or having a medical. At his cottage of 6 private, No.6's personal maid told me that his bed had not been slept in last night! What’s more who left all that wood and empty oil drums on the quayside near the Stone Boat?

    The Prisoner shop which so many fans of the Prisoner have frequented on visits to Portmeirion began its life in very humble circumstances indeed.

   On the morning of Saturday September 4th 1982 the Prisoner Information Centre was set up, and opened by Mr. Dave Barrie and Mr. Max Hora, in what would later become the Ice Cream Parlour next to the Self-Service Restaurant. Amongst the early visitors were those of Sir Clough William-Ellis, architect and builder of Portmirion, and his daughter Susan, and her husband Mr. Euan Cooper-Willis. On September 30th the Prisoner Information Centre was visited by the Welsh Tourist Board, who were very interested in the Information Centre. This was a seven week experiment until the end of the 1982 season, which generated much interest in the Prisoner.                                          

   It was then in 1983 that the Prisoner Information Centre was moved to the 'Round House' which was No.6 cottage in the village, well the exterior anyway, for the full seven month period. Indeed Mr. Max Hora went on to run the Prisoner Information Centre at Portmeirion until January 1999.

   It was soon after this that a complete renovation of the 'Round House' - No.6's cottage took place. A complete new floor and interior, with purpose built shop fitting units, with two computer terminals, and a complete range of 'Prisoner' merchandise. The brand new Prisoner shop, now run by Portmeirion itself, was opened on June 12th 1999.

   When the new Prisoner shop was opened, some Prisoner fans, who had grown up with the former Prisoner Information Centre, said that this new shop was a step backwards, having no atmosphere! Ah but people have short memories, as I recall standing freezing in the old Prisoner Information Centre during its autumn time, there being no heating. Then there was the smell, not to mention the damp. But they were good years, with more than ample Prisoner merchandise for sale therein. But time marches on, and the Prisoner shop at Portmeirion is now long established, loved by all fans of the Prisoner who make their pilgrimage to the Village.

Be seeing you