The Old Courthouse, 123 High Street, Bottisham

History of the Old Courthouse

Listed Building

Former magistrates court and offices, probably a police station, now a house, built 1858.

22 April 1910

Bottisham magistrates displayed considerable courage by ordering the birching of four youngsters who had been proved guilty of egg-stealing. If they inflicted a fine the punishment would fall not on the boys, but upon their parents who were respectable people who worked hard to keep their children neat and clean. The object of punishment is to act as a warning to others and serve as a deterrent for the future. There will be very little egg-stealing amongst Bottisham juveniles for some time 10 04 22a — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

3 January 1938

Bottisham Police Court, which is a rather primitive building at the best of times, should be modernised. A large number of cases were dealt with during the year and in some there were five or six witnesses. When they were ordered outside there was no seating accommodation for them, and while waiting they were exposed to the weather. The heating apparatus should also be improved, councillors were told. 38 01 03 & a — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

17 July 1954

There were strong protests at plans for new offices at Shire Hall Cambridge. The new building would contain Assize and Quarter Sessions courts, offices and accommodation for the County Library. The courts at Linton, Caxton, Melbourn and Bottisham were ‘shockers’, housed in old police stations and the magistrates would be only too happy to do their work in an up-to-date building. Architects had strongly advised against cheese-pairing costs of the assembly hall: Cambridge’s lovely college buildings had been the best and had stood the test of time and the costs of labour and materials were rising. But a new plan for one-tier local government might mean the doom of County Councils and the scheme should be deferred. — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.

15 March 1979

The old court house at Bottisham, which until recently housed the county’s unit for disruptive schoolchildren, will soon be up for sale. ‘Whitebeams’ was used as an out-of-school centre for children needing special supervision but the centre has now moved to Romsey. Now the County Council has been granted permission for change of use for it to be lived in again. — Mike Petty, Bottisham Scrapbook 1897 to 1990.