Swindon in the Past Lane

Ironically the dedication on the official Swindon Roll of Honour reads 'Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out, Their Name Liveth For Evermore.' Whilst it might not be exactly blotted out, the magnificent memorial lies hidden behind curtains in the dance studio at Swindon's Town Hall and today is seldom seen. The memorial was erected by public subscription and in the same spirit the Swindon in the Great War committee launched its own fund raising memorial project 'Adopt a Tommy.' You are invited to adopt one of the servicemen whose name appears on the memorial. For £10 you will receive a certificate based on the one the returning soldiers, sailors and airmen received and details of that man's service. I've 'adopted' Edward William Reginald Bevan. Why? He is no relation, but I share his surname and because he served at sea. My husband comes from Milford Haven, a small former fishing town on the Pembrokeshire coast. Generations of his ...

This week began with an endurance test, included a significant birthday, some excellent cemetery news and ended with an 10th anniversary and a fete. Across the Bank Holiday weekend the Swindon Heritage team was out pounding the streets, delivering copies of the magazine. I covered the length and breadth of West Swindon while my two colleagues delivered the rest! I got to see areas of Toothill I didn't know existed, and how beautiful it is too, with stunning views across to Wroughton. By the end of the week the job was done, or so we thought, until we discovered a glitch in our less-than-foolpoof system. Too big a job for pedal power, Graham left his trusty cycle behind and drove more than 70 miles, delivering to subscribers who had dropped off the list. But by now subscribers should be satisfied, stockists stocked and with just Lydiard House to deliver to tomorrow, the Autumn edition of Swindon Heritage is out there. Enjoy! Followers of events at Radnor Street Cemetery will...

Regulars at the Southbrook Inn may be unaware that their favourite watering hole was once a dairy farm.  In 1986 the 18 th century building received a Grade II listing but a farm has stood on this site for much longer. When the property came up for sale in 1763 Thomas Goddard, Lord of the Manor of Swindon, was ready to sign on the dotted line, having informed his attorney, Mr Thomas Athawes, that he was ‘very well satisfied with the Title of Southbrook Farm.’ The Abstract of Title over which Thomas Goddard had cast his discerning eye dated from 1669 and is available for consultation at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham.  This document provides a detailed history of the property and its various owners and occupiers across nearly 100 years. The property in Rodbourne Cheney was included in the marriage settlement of local couple Thomas Richmond alias Webb and Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Sir William Thomson in 1690. By 1763 the p...