Swindon in the Past Lane

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

Bees still busy at work in the Walled Garden at Lydiard House Who would have thought Swindon could boast two literature festivals and a heritage magazine, along with all the other fantastic activities that take place across the year? While the weather most definitely had an end of summer feel about it, there was no end to the summer activities in Swindon this week.  Thursday saw the launch of the second Swindon Festival of Poetry at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road with words of wit and wisdom from festival organisers and guest speaker BBC Wiltshire presenter Mark O'Donnell. Matt Holland, Michael Scott and Hilda Sheehan have put together a fabulous four day festival of words and wit, kicking off on National Poetry Day, October 3 with high points including a M4 Corridor Poetry Day and visits by Roger McGough and Alice Oswald.  Michael Scott will be accompanying Swindon Heritage editor Graham Carter on a Vintage Bus Tour. Tickets cost £10 and sell like hotca...