Sponsored Walk
Jun 3, 2007
Funds are regularly needed for us to be able to provide the monthly nutritional packs to prisoners, which we hope to supply until such items are available through their prison shops. These packs contain nuts, seeds, various dried fruit and when permitted 'nice to haves' such as the odd bar of chocolate or soya dessert unavailable at the present time in prison shops. The Prison Shop Project is moving forward finally and we would like to thank those supporters who wrote to their MPs.
We are assured that the majority of our recommendations will be included sometime in 2008 - so will need to continue providing the monthly pack until then. If you would like to help us raise the money to continue the packs that brighten up the prisoners' lives click here to read how Robin Lane is hoping to raise funds on a sponsored walk. UPDATE Aug 27: Read about the successful completion of the sponsored walk here.
Ethical Wares have kindly donated the footwear for Robin's fundraiser.
Latest News
For full prisoner details, including what items you can send in, see the Current Prisoners page
Apr 23, 2008
John Smith has requested to come off the prisoner list. Here is his letter:
Dear All
Firstly, thank you for all of your support in the form of letters, cards, money and most importantly, good wishes.
Secondly, anyone that doesn't know me will not yet understand how appalling I am at corresponding. I do put pen to paper when my box of "letters to reply to" begins to spill over. However, more often than not I tend to neglect those whose letters fill my box.
Thirdly, I am continuing to correspond with those I have started with and must add I shall continue to "trouble" the VPSG with endless chores - they have assisted in so many ways over the past 2½ years.
However, I shall be coming off the lengthy prisoner list, partly to allow others to receive more support and partly to ease my overflowing box situation. Once again thank you all very much.
John Smith
Apr 2, 2008
Don Currie's birthday is on 13 April, and Kerry Whitburn's is on 18 April, so please send them birthday cards! Their addresses are on the prisoners page.
Jan 24, 2008
Just a reminder that Jonny Ablewhite's birthday is on 27 Jan and Heather Nicholson's is on 30 Jan, so please send them a birthday card.
Jan 23, 2008
Suzanne Taylor was released today on tagging.
Dec 14, 2007
Mel Broughton was remanded today at Banbury Magistrates in connection with alleged offences relating to the SPEAK campaign. Write to him at: Mel Broughton TN9138, HM Prison Woodhill, Tattenhoe Street, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK4 4DA.
Dec 6, 2007
Mark Taylor moved recently and has requested to be removed from our listing for the moment. More details when available.
Please note we continue to assist delisted prisoners with any problems they require assistance with during their remaining sentences and their hygiene/nutritonal requirements.
Nov 30, 2007
For some reason Don Currie's prison number will be different while he is on the Isle of Wight. It is now A3660AA.
Nov 28, 2007
Don Currie has moved to HMP Parkhurst, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5NX.
Nov 13, 2007
Both Josephine Mayo and Suzanne Taylor have requested their details to be removed from listings in order to concentrate on their studies. They have asked to us thank everyone for the support they have given them and that it was really appreciated. VPSG will obviously continue to assist them with any problems they encounter for the rest of their sentences.
Oct 26, 2007
Gregg Avery has been moved back to HMP Winchester and Natasha Avery and Heather Nicolson are back at HMP Bronzefield
Oct 23, 2007
Gregg Avery was moved today for an appearance at Aldershot magistrates court (presumably to add more charges). He is staying the night at a local police station.
He, Natasha Avery, and Heather Nicholson are due at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday where they will either be released or their remand will be continued for another 6 months, pretty much until the trial is due to start in June.
Oct 1, 2007
Natasha Avery and Heather Nicolson have been moved back to HMP Bronzefield. Their prison numbers remain the same.
Sep 20, 2007
Natasha Avery and Heather Nicholson appeared in court in Birmingham today, and instead of being returned to HMP Bronzefield, they have been taken to HMP Eastwood Park, Falfield, Wotton-under-Edge, Glos GL12 8DB. This may just be a temporary move - check here for further updates.
Sep 11, 2007
Sarah Gisborne was moved yesterday to HMP Downview, Sutton Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PD.
Sep 7, 2007
Gregg Avery (TA7450) was moved today to HMP Birmingham, Winson Green Road, Birmingham B18 4AS.
Sep 6, 2007
Suzanne Taylor (TM7154) was moved today to HMP Drake Hall, Eccleshall, Staffs ST21 6LQ.
Aug 27, 2007
Robin Lane has completed a 20-mile sponsored walk from Dulwich in South London to Enfield. Read more about it here. Natasha Avery also did 20 miles from prison in solidarity with Robin - 15 miles on the exercise bike and 5 miles in the gym and thanks everyone that supported Robin's mammoth effort to help raise funds.
Aug 19, 2007
We have just heard that Suzanne Tayor at HMP Foston Hall in Derby isn't allow to receive self-addressed-envelopes (SAEs), writing paper or envelopes, and if you send these items in they will get binned by the authorities.
Aug 10, 2007
Joseph Harris has been released on tagging.
Aug 6, 2007
Mark Taylors Birthday is the 8th August. He remains at HMP Onley.
Jul 21, 2007
Natasha Avery's licence has recently been revoked - her prison number reverts to NR8987. Visitors now require a visiting order which is obtained through Natasha.
Jul 18, 2007
Wayne Bunch was released on tagging today.
Jul 12, 2007
Trish Portwine was recently released on Home Detention Curfew.
Jul 11, 2007
UPDATE: A foster home has been found for Mark Taylor's beagles.
Jun 25, 2007
URGENT Mark Taylor Asks Supporters For Help
Mark desperately needs help to find a foster home urgently for his two beagles for six months until Suzanne's release in January 2008. They are friendly and must stay together. Their ages are 1½ and 3 years old. Mark will on his release reimburse the foster home for their care. Knowledge of beagles preferable. If you can help please call the VPSG office on 0208 292 8325 for more details.
Jun 19, 2007
Suzanne Taylor has been moved to HMP Foston Hall. New details: Suzanne Taylor (TM7154) HMP Foston Hall, Foston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE65 5DN.
Jun 12, 2007
Prisoner Jonny Ablewhite has written a long and erudite letter with an update on his situation. Click here to read it.
May 11, 2007
We have been informed that Madeline Buckler has been released on tagging.
May 4, 2007
Greg and Natasha Avery were remanded today at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on charges in connection with HLS. See the prisoner list page for full details.
May 7, 2007
Heather Nicholson was remanded today on charges in connection with HLS. See the prisoner list page for full details.
May 4, 2007
Greg and Natasha Avery were remanded today at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on charges in connection with HLS. See the prisoner list page for full details.
Apr 26, 2007
Prisoner moves: Mark Taylor has moved to HMP YOI Onley in Warwickshire, and Wayne Bunch has moved to HMP Brockhill in Worcestershire. See the prisoner list page for full details.
Apr 11, 2007
Wayne Bunch was sentenced to 12 months today in connection with charges relating to the Newchurch Guinea Pig Farm.
Mar 28, 2007
Dave Blenkinsop heard today that he has been successful with his parole and will be moving to a hostel in the next few days.
He has asked us to thank everyone that wrote and/or gave him support during his sentence. He has also requested that his privacy is respected on his release.
Mar 26, 2007
Jonny Ablewhite has written a statement following the rejection by the Appeal Court of the 12-year sentence handed out to the Newchurch prisoners.
Mar 8, 2007
Garfield Gabbard was released Wed 7 March 2007.
Mar 8, 2007
Teresa Portwine (TM7153) and Suzanne Taylor (TM7154) are being transferred to: HMP Cookham Wood, Rochester, Kent ME1 3LU
Mar 6, 2007
Teresa Portwine received 15 months, Mark Taylor received 4 years and Suzanne Taylor received 2½ years in connection with the serious organised crime and police act in relation to HLS.
Feb 18, 2007
Dr Joe Harris has been moved to HMP Bullingdon, Patrick Haugh Road, Arncott, Nr Bicester, Oxon OX25 1WD.
Feb 12, 2007
Don Currie has been downgraded from a Category A to a Category B prisoner. This means clearance is no longer required to visit him, just a normal visiting order.
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