Swindon in the Past Lane

Local history stalwart Roy Cartwright recently posted an article on Facebook in praise of the Local Studies Collection in Swindon Central Library, which gave me an idea. Over the next few weeks I intend writing about the unsung heroes of the Swindon local history fraternity. Some have written books, but not all of them; some write blogs, but not all of them. Some are Chair of this or secretary of that but what they all have in common is a passion for local history. I'm beginning with my cemetery partner in crime, Andy Binks and if you haven't met him on the local history trail - where have you been? For several years Andy and I (and Noel who I'll come to next) have conducted guided walks at Radnor Street Cemetery. Andy has been known to rescue shattered gravestones, attend to a bit of cemetery DIY and regularly liaises with SBC to make sure the cemetery continues to be maintained and protected. But that's not all he does! Andy is Chair of the Swindon Societ...

How many people coming across the name Goddard Vilett would assume this is probably a man? Well I did at first and very nearly overlooked yet another important woman in Swindon's history. I found a marriage entry dated 1710 in the Holy Rood parish registers when William Horne married Mrs Goddard Vilett, and I wondered if William was marrying a widow still using her deceased husband’s name, but no, that wasn’t the case.  The South Marston parish registers record that 'Mr Thomas Vilett & Mrs Elleanor Goddard were married December 11th, 1681.'   Their daughter Goddard Vilett was baptised at the same church on June 24, 1683, but obviously grew up in Swindon where her Vilett family lived. Eleanor's branch of the Goddard family settled in South Marston and the parish records include the baptism of James Goddard's eight children between 1657 and 1673 with Eleanor (Ellen) baptised in 1661. Sadly, Thomas and Eleanor's marriage was a short one as she died ...

For more information about the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale visit the Swindon Suffragette facebook page. The Swindon Society will also have a stall at our sale, with a display of old photographs of Swindon and an opportunity to meet some of the team and ask them questions about Swindon’s history. From its very beginnings the Society has attempted to record the social history of the area as shown by the camera since the 1850's. The collection contains photographic material on many subjects including the GWR Swindon, Swindon Tramway system, Wilts & Berks Canal, Swindon in both World Wars, school groups, areas of the town including Old Town, Gorse Hill, Rodbourne, surrounding villages and much more. The collection now numbers 15,000 plus images and is used to illustrate presentations to local groups. For more information see the website  http://theswindonsociety.co.uk/  or search facebook. The Swindon Society in action!

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...

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