Swindon in the Past Lane

As a child growing up in London I visited the Tower of London on numerous occasions. I have two crumpled photographs taken on a primary school visit when I was about nine years old. I can't remember anything about the visit and I'm amazed anyone had a camera back in the day! My Auntie Ruth, a force for cultural improvement in my youth, took me on a visit. Sadly all I remember about this one was queuing for what seemed like hours to see the Crown Jewels. I don't even remember the jewels, just the queue. More than thirty years later I made the same 'Auntie Ruth error' and took my own three children when they were probably too young to appreciate the history. They can remember little about the day, apart from a boat trip on the Thames and some costumed actors in the Medieval Palace (proving what an important role these re-enactors play in childrens' learning). Recently I visited the tower again on my own to see the areas I have never managed to on pre...

If you missed seeing the stunning St John polyptych at St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park over the last weekend in July it will be open on the Heritage Open Days September 8-11, 2016.   At the centre of this multi panelled genealogical masterpiece is a family portrait. Believed to have been painted by William Larkin (portraitist at the court of James I and known as ‘The Curtain Master’ for his predilection for including draped curtains and oriental carpets in his paintings) the St John portrait pays homage to the parents of Sir John St John, 1 st Baronet. Sir John and Lady Lucy St John kneel in prayer on a sarcophagus beneath which lie three coffins representing three of their children who died before the painting of the portrait. Their son, Sir John (1 st Baronet) and his wife, Anne Leighton stand on the left of the portrait and on the right are their six daughters. The 17 th century St John family lived through turbulent times about which a vast amount of academic...