Swindon in the Past Lane

When Albert Rebbeck travelled home to Wiltshire in 1910 the journey had been 40 years in the planning. Albert Edward Rebbeck was born at Lockeridge, near Marlborough in 1857, the fifth child of Cornelius, a land surveyor and his wife Caroline Knight. The Rebbeck Wiltshire family roots can be traced back to the 17th century but Caroline’s family appears to be more adventurous. In 1861 her brother James was living in India and before too long three of her sons would also fly the nest. In 1863 eldest son James Knight Rebbeck joined his uncle in Calcutta. Six years later and the couple’s next son Frank, then aged about 15 took off for America, followed by Albert. The two boys early period in America is difficult to navigate. It appears they may even have travelled first to Canada as in 1871 the census returns for Quebec include fourteen year old Albert Rebbick, born in England and working for Dominique Fox. In 1883 Frank married Mary Jane Bree and spent his later work...

Swindonians celebrated a low key Christmas in 1940 following a year in which the war had bit hard.  But the town and district made sure that the most vulnerable citizens were catered for, especially the evacuees, so far from home for the festive period. Frank Leigh produced and starred in Jack and the Beanstalk, this year’s pantomime at the Playhouse.  Leigh scored a personal triumph in his role as Dame Durden according to the Advertiser reviewer who also commented on the ‘several pleasing specialities.’ At Lethbridge Road School, children from the infant class put on a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for their mothers with Jean Hawkins in the lead role of Snow White while local children and evacuees were treated to a Christmas tea and entertainment at the Club House, Shrivenham Road provided by the GWR Social Club. The Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs F.E. Allen made a Christmas Day visit to various homes and institutions across Swindon ...

Celebrate the launch of  Swindon in the Great War with the formal unveiling and dedication of the Sanford Street School Roll of Honour Memorial The memorial and its significance to Radnor Street Cemetery - a talk by Mark Sutton  Saturday November 23, 11.30 am Radnor Street Cemetery Chapel  and  The launch of the Swindon Heritage Winter edition  Swindon Heritage subscribers – come and collect your copy of the Winter edition and pick up a copy of Mark Sutton’s book Tell Them of Us free on the day only Have you been with us from the first issue - come and renew your 2014 subscription in the historic Radnor Street Cemetery Chapel? Want to send a Christmas gift subscription for 2014 – we can organize this too - come and see us at Radnor Street Cemetery Chapel 11- 2 pm November 23. Want to join our growing list of subscribers - if you love local history, come and meet us. Other attractio...

If Ye Forget Let me forget — Let me forget, I am weary of remembrance, And my brow is ever wet, With the tears of my remembrance, With the tears and bloody sweat, Let me forget. If ye forget — If ye forget, Then your children must remember, And their brow be ever wet, With tears of their remembrance, With tears and bloody sweat, If ye forget. G.A. Studdert Kennedy. Remembrance Day Service 2013 - Radnor Street Cemetery, Swindon.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon first published in The Times September 1914 following the Battle of the Marne Scenes from the Field of Remembrance at Lydiard Park. Children from Corsham Primary School Sally Challoner from BBC Points West

Quite frankly I think it's time to name names. People might not thank me for it, but I think Swindon in the Past Lane readers deserve to know who you are. So what has sparked this outburst? Funnily enough it was having a jolly nice time at the official opening of the new Arkell's hotel at The Sun Inn, Coate overlooking historic Jefferies land. It was a super event with a posh ploughman's lunch and scrummy scones.The Swindon Heritage team were among the invited guests along with members of the press, civic dignitaries and the people who designed, built and colour co-ordinated the beautiful rooms. And quite naturally the conversation turned to all things heritage - well it would with us there! We started talking about shared acquaintances and the valuable research work being undertaken by volunteers and I decided there and then to name on this blog just a few of the people I know who work so hard to promote Swindon's wonderful heritage. So, let's hear it ...

These daring highline walkers are helping fund raise to send Jake Hirsch Holland to Ocotal, Nicaragua to work with Performers Without Borders. They are performing at the Spectrum Renault building until 5pm today, so if you rush over to West Swindon you might just catch them. Young would be highliners What it's all about