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Making a song and dance about the Hemsley family
The Hemsley family have a fascinating theatrical history, soon to be featured in Swindon Heritage, but for the moment I am concentrating on George Hemsley, a fitter and turner and an early arrival at...
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Henry Fox Townsend
Swindon solicitor Henry Fox Townsend was feeling as fit as a fiddle when he boarded the 3pm train for Paddington on Thursday December 13, 1894.The purpose of his London visit was to bid farewell to his...
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Latest news on Lydiard Park
On June 25, 2016 the recently created Lydiard Park Heritage Trust announced the names of the inaugural trustees.Mike Bowden (Chair) - Former FTSE 100 Managing Director and Company Secretary and...
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Town Centre Regeneration and Slum Clearance
In 1952 Swindon embarked upon an ambitious programme of expansion. One of the objectives was to encourage London based industries to relocate and thereby revitalise a town too dependent on a declining...
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May George
During this turbulent week in British politics I look back on the career of Swindon's first Lady Mayor, May George.Described as the most active and progressive member to occupy a seat on the Town...
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Stepping out with the Swindon WI
The members of Swindon WI put their best foot forward on Saturday evening when they were among 700 people who took part in the Prospect Hospice fund raising Starlight Walk. The WI members braved...
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The Sword of Damocles
Many words have been written about this day, July 1, 1916, the first day of what would later be called the Battle of the Somme.As we remember the fallen at the centenary of that battle, I am going to...
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Radnor Street Cemetery - a coppice ground formerly called Wibley's
The land at Kingshill, which later became the site of Radnor Street Cemetery, once belonged to James Bradford and appears on the Tithe Map details of 1840.It is described as a coppice ground formerly...
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Calling the good people of North Swindon ...
Calling the good people of North Swindon and Wichelstowe and anyone newly moved to Swindon.How much do you know about our town's fascinating and varied history?Have you seen a copy of the Swindon...
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How lucky are we ...
Here in Swindon we are so very fortunate. We have historic countryside on our doorstep with more national monuments than you can shake a stick at and within the borough boundaries more green spaces...
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Funerals Neatly Furnished
The average cost of a funeral today is in the region of £3,700 and increasing. When the Swindon Cemetery at Kingshill opened in 1881 a funeral could cost a pretty penny back then too.On Monday, August...
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Tell us your story
On a beautiful summer's day in 1884 George Brooks stood at the graveside as his fourteen year old daughter Adelaide was laid to rest. He was one of few mourners at his daughter's funeral.It was a...
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Roll up, roll up for the Swindon Heritage History Day
Today we have not one, not even two but three guided walks taking place at Radnor Street Cemetery, each one taking a different route and visiting different graves. Noel Beauchamp, Andy Binks, Noel...
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The first ever Swindon Heritage History Day
The weather was kind to us (just a few spit spots of rain) and the heritage fans turned out in force.Here are a few photos from our first ever Swindon Heritage History Day. We hope you had a good time....
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Swindon Pulse Wholefood Co-operative
Yesterday we were pleased to host Swindon Pulse Wholefood co-op's 40th anniversary celebration. If you haven't yet discovered this Swindon gem, go along to the great little shop in Curtis street. (You...
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Albert Beaney at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery
Nicki Western, Marketing, Events and Premises Manager at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, arrived at the Swindon Heritage History Day weighed down with some extremely heavy bags. Among the museum...
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A desirable residence
Today we will see him move out of 10 Downing Street ...while she moves in ...but someone much closer to home had a very close connection with this most famous of London residences.Unfortunately there...
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Edith Stevens
As Theresa May settles into her new job the expectation is that she will include a significant number of women in her cabinet.Today I am publishing a blog post written in April 2012 about one of...
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The Lady of the Tower by Elizabeth St John
The stunning St John polyptych at St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park, will be open next weekend 22 – 24 July to celebrate the 401st anniversary of its installation.At the centre of this multi panelled...
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Leaving no stone unturned
Sadly Swindon has a poor record for preserving its heritage. So many fine buildings have been lost over the years with the Mechanics' Institute and the Corn Exchange just about hanging on in there.And...
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