Swindonians celebrated a low key Christmas in 1940 following a year in which the war had bit hard. But the town and district made sure that the most vulnerable citizens were catered for, especially the evacuees, so far from home for the festive period. Frank Leigh produced and starred in Jack and the Beanstalk, this year’s pantomime at the Playhouse. Leigh scored a personal triumph in his role as Dame Durden according to the Advertiser reviewer who also commented on the ‘several pleasing specialities.’ At Lethbridge Road School, children from the infant class put on a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for their mothers with Jean Hawkins in the lead role of Snow White while local children and evacuees were treated to a Christmas tea and entertainment at the Club House, Shrivenham Road provided by the GWR Social Club. The Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs F.E. Allen made a Christmas Day visit to various homes and institutions across Swindon ...