Swindon in the Past Lane

There are so many beautiful and historic places in Swindon, but if we don't protect and care for them what example are we setting to those who do not understand their value. Today Andy Binks of the Swindon Society and I took best selling novelist Nicola Cornick on a tour of the chancel (all that remains of Holy Rood Church) and the Lawn. Many years ago the gravestones were moved and propped up against the perimeter wall, now the inscriptions on most of them are illegible. History lost. The church building is seldom open, just once a year during the Old Town Festival. Perhaps it is no wonder that graffiti is beginning to make an unwelcome reappearance and empty cans litter the churchyard. If you would like to see the chancel open more frequently with talks and walks around the ancient churchyard, please let us know. You can leave a message here on this blog or visit the Swindon in the Past Lane facebook page. And why not join members of the Swindon Society at their month...

Work continues apace on Princes Street at the Union Square development despite the recent snow and rain. Have a look how things are progressing and catch up on the history of Princes Street  on a previous Swindon in the Past Lane post. The Man with a Stick outside 19 Princes Street in 1953.  For the legendary MWAS series see  Swindon Local Studies  and for the whole story visit Swindon Heritage.

l to r Bob Townsend, Diane Everett and Andy Binks - image courtesy of the Swindon Advertiser Members of the Swindon Society are now on their summer break, so I thought it was time to publish a couple of blogposts about the work they get up to. Scroll down to see what's on when the group reconvenes in September. In 1972 a house in Eldene cost £9,600, local lad Gilbert O'Sullivan was number one in the pop charts with his song Clair and Pressed Steel was the biggest consumer of electricity in town as Swindon struggled to cope with power cuts during the three day week.  These were just some of the facts and figures Andy Binks and Dave Bedford revealed at Sunday's Swindon Society 40th celebrations held at the Southbrook Inn. The local history society was founded in September 1972 following a series of WEA lectures given by local historian Eric Arman and at Sunday's party one of those original members was still taking an active role. Membership secretary Martin Va...