TENESO Europe SE held its recent sales meeting in Langholmen gaol in Stockholm, Sweden. Langholmen was known as the Spin House from 1724 to 1827. The prisoners placed in the Spin House were mostly women who had been arrested for a variety of crimes but most often vagrancy, begging or ‘loose living’. The prisons gradually expanded and came to dominate the island for 250 years. Large private buildings were erected on the island. The waterfront of Malaren was embellished during the latter half of the 19th century. Large quantities of soil were laid on the rock and 3000 trees were planted by the prisoners. Thanks to this, the island is a green oasis. The prison was closed down in 1975 and in 1989 reopened as a ‘boutique’ hotel with a difference.

Stockholm is a great place to visit at the best of times. The TENESO meeting coincided with our hosts 50th year anniversary celebrations.