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Swindon in 1900

In 1900 the separate towns of New and Old Swindon were incorporated; Swindon Town FC were beaten two goals to nil away at Portsmouth in a Southern League football match in front of a crowd of 7000 and there were acting jobs going at the Queen’s Theatre for ‘Gentleman to play Responsible Parts; also Lady for Light chambermaids, to Open immediately.’

And apparently Swindon boasted ‘some fine specimens of manhood’ within the 30 strong police force based here. The average height of the police officers was 5ft 11ins with twelve men standing over 6ft while Superintendent P.C. Millard stood 6ft 2ins in his stockinged feet.

So, what was it like to live here in Swindon in 1900?
Call in at the Railway Village Museum, Faringdon Road this Saturday, and you’ll get a pretty good idea.

Last month I took my granddaughter Maysie and Desmond, the Year 2 class mascot at Westlea Primary School. It was the first time I had visited the cottage since it opened to the public again in recent years. Staffed by friendly, knowledgeable volunteers, visitors are now able to enter the rooms and touch things.  Maysie and Desmond were very impressed and Desmond even tried his hand on the Singer sewing machine.

The Railway Village Museum is open this Saturday, June 1 from 10.30 am to 4 pm. 







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