Mexborough and Swinton Times June 20, 1908
Conisborough Castle
It is rumoured that the owner of the Castle proposes enclosing the Court Yard and Keep with an unclimable iron fence, and so keep out the people who show no respect of such antiquities, who we suppose will not pay the charge which will most likely be made.
The preservation of the Castle is a most laudable undertaking, but we are not certain that this method does not infringe on the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of Conisborough, and we doubt the legal right of the owner to enclose it.
It is, however, a matter of common, comment that the castle and grounds are in a much more dilapidated state than a few years ago and in consequence are not so attractive to visitors as then.
We suppose that this is a result of abuse of the privilege we enjoy in free access to the Castle, which abuse is bound to bring about an attempt to stop the privilege.