It’s struck me often that Swindon’s Old Town has, within a few yards of one another, three long-standing and still family-owned businesses. That must be somewhat unusual surely? On Newport Street there’s Gilbert’s. On the corner of Bath Road and Devizes Rd there’s Blaylocks and on Wood Street of course we have Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd. The business was founded, by George Deacon, in 1848 as jewellers, watch and clock makers. It remains a family-run business that’s now in its sixth generation.