Swindon in the Past Lane

Continuing a series of blogposts in the lead up to the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale on November 12 at the Christ Church Community Centre. In the February 11, 1909 edition of the Votes for Women newspaper a list was published naming those women who had already signed up for the Women’s Exhibition and Sale of Work. Kensington WSPU            One General Stall Kensington WSPU            Millinery Stall Streatham WSPU             Stall for Children’s Clothing Richmond WSPU              One Stall Chelsea WSPU                   Artists’ Stall London Western Unions (Hammersmith, Chiswick, Barnes)         ...

Continuing a series of blogposts about the Women's Exhibition and Sale of Work held in May 1909 in advance of our own Swindon Suffragette event on November 12. Emmeline Pethick Lawrence got the ball rolling for the Women's Exhibition and Sale of Work in the January 28th 1909 edition of the Votes for Women newspaper. The special scheme to which I have referred is connected, not directly with the militant side of this movement, but with its organising and its educational side, a side not one whit less important, a side absolutely essential to success. Everybody can take part in this scheme. Not one in our ranks is too poor, not one is too old or too young, or too frail to render some bit of service in connection with it. And everybody can begin at once – this very day. We are holding in May an exhibition. It will be an Exhibition of the Colours; an Exhibition and a Sale of women’s work, and will be open for a fortnight. During that time we shall attract and draw together ...

The last serious act of vandalism to take place in Radnor Street Cemetery happened across one weekend several years ago. A break in at the chapel saw windows smashed, including the beautiful rose window above the door. The intruders lit a fire in the sacristy, the small room off the chapel, using a box of documents stored there. The documents were a 'Form of application for permission to erect or restore a memorial' and included a description with the measurements of that memorial; the inscription; the name and address of the owner of the grave and how much the memorial cost. Invaluable information lost in the fire, but in recent weeks I have glimpsed a rare surviving document. These are the details of the Boucher family grave. As you can see this document tells us who the stonemason was, the dimensions of the memorial and the inscription. In loving memory of George Boucher died 8th July 1915 aged 61 years also Mary Boucher died 25th February 1943 aged 88 also ...

In the lead up to 2018, the 100th anniversary of when some (though not all) women got the vote, join us for events celebrating suffragettes and Edith New. Swindon Suffragette in collaboration with Swindon Heritage will be holding a Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale at Christ Church Community Rooms on November 12, 1-4. The inspiration for this event is the Women's Exhibition of 1909 held at the Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge in 1909. During the lead up to the event I will be publishing extracts from the suffragette newspaper Votes for Women following preparations as they developed. The Women's Exhibition The arrangements for the great exhibition to be held in the Prince’s Skating Rink by the Women’s Social and Political Union from May 13 to May 26 are already in active progress. The response to the appeal of Mrs Pethick Lawrence is bearing splendid fruit, and a very large number of friends of the Union have already come forward and offered to ta...

So the weather could have been a bit kinder, but did it really matter? STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway was packed to the rafters with railway enthusiasts old and young, while outside eight traction engines blew in chorus to the sound of the replica hooter. There was something to interest everyone at the Swindon Railway Festival, and I'm going to do it all over again tomorrow. Come down to STEAM, Fire Fly Avenue for Part II of the Railway Festival 10 am - 5 pm. Bust of Daniel Gooch See the latest copy of Swindon Heritage for the story of the man who saved the Medical Fund Swindon Heritage editor Graham Carter on camera Colin Hatch from  Hatch Heritage & Steam Engineers Ltd  and Neil Lover Andy, Bob and Diane from the Swindon Society  Colin Hatch gives last minute instructions to music mogul and model railway enthusiast, Pete Waterman

Blue Plaques to honour Swindon’s brave WWII Fighter Pilots to be unveiled - 3pm on Thursday 8th September 2016. Two of Swindon’s bravest sons will be honoured on Thursday 8th Sept 2016 when the Swindon Heritage Team www.swindonheritage.com unveils not one but two commemorative Blue Plaques in the heart of the town. Brothers Harold Starr and Norman ‘John’ Starr were born in the Central Hotel, Regent Street, Swindon. The hotel was replaced with a cinema in the 1930’s and today the Art Deco building houses the popular Weatherspoon’s pub, The Savoy. As soon as www.jdwetherspoon.com were approached about the idea of having Blue Plaques on The Savoy they immediately said yes and have been assisting with logistics ever since. Squadron Leader Harold Starr (1914 – 1940) was born and raised in Swindon. He bailed out of his burning Hurricane during the Battle of Britain in 1940 but was gunned to death by a Messerschmitt as he floated down to earth in his parachute. His wife was carrying the...

If you are researching your family history in Swindon, have you ever thought about contacting the local funeral directors? There is an amazing amount of information available in the funeral accounts and local funeral director A.E. Smith are more than happy to help, as you can see from the above notice. A.E. Smith was founded around 1880 by Henry Smith a carpenter and joiner. The original premises were situated in Gordon Road, Swindon near the 1960s magistrates courts. At the time of the 1911 census Henry lived at 1 Clifton Street, close to the cemetery where he had spent so many hours.  He died there on November 14, 1917.  He left £3,072 17s 6d to be administered by his three sons.  Albert Edward had taken over the funeral business while James Henry Smith was a railway official and Joseph William a railway storekeeper. Henry was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery on November 17.  The service was conducted by Mr Spargo and naturally the funeral was pe...

Swindon Open Studios - personal highlights. A tour of Olive House and talking about Swindon Suffragette Edith New with Marilyn Trew. Meeting Lizzie Kendall and making a Buddhist prayer flag. Viewing  Paul Exton 's Bradenstoke Priory Triptych and planning a  Radnor Street Cemetery  project. Talking to Claire ( The Bear's Kiln ) about Swindon Suffragette Edith New. And talking to Sally Taylor  about inspiration, innovation and Salubritas et Industria. Swindon Open Studios continues tomorrow and next Saturday/Sunday September 10/11. Visit the website for more details. Olive House Stained glass front door, Olive House More stained glass, Olive House And yet more stained glass Olive House I spy Swindon175's Caroline Black talking to Swindon 105.5 presenter Dave Woods Home is where the heart is, by Claire Eastcott Studios Surrounded by Beauty by Carmen B. Norris You might like to read more ...