Winter/Spring Newsletter – Number Three
The Cricketers’ Arms
Mechanics’ Matters Newsletter No 3
The Mechanics’ Institution Trust has submitted a planning application regarding the Cricketers’ Arms. Our plan is to convert the ex pub into 3 self-contained apartments a retail unit and community room. The application also includes an access ramp. The first phase will be to fix the roof and the exterior so that its watertight.
The trust, whilst established to restore the Mechanics’ Institute is also a building preservation trust. That means we’re able to restore other heritage buildings. Emlyn Square holds a significant place in our railway history. Whilst it would have been wonderful to return the building to its former use the economics don’t add up. The development will cost around £1.5 million. We’ll raise the money through grants and other funding sources.
You can find details on the trust’s planning application on the council’s website under planning. Refer to the “Cricketers” in the search box.
https://pa1.swindon.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=R2F0L6PTI9F00&activeTab=summary
Car boot and table top sales
We’re putting on a car boot and table top sale on the last Saturday of each month. We’ll kick off on March 26th 10am to 2pm We will also be celebrating the Queens Jubilee on June 3rd.
Heritage Action Zone and other activity
The Bakers Café is going to host weekly engagement sessions for Railway Village residents. This will be a drop-in space for residents to provide feedback on local issues. They can also meet council officers, discuss housing, health and well- being and get involved in local clubs. We’ll run the sessions from 10am to 1.00pm. Starting the 19th January running through to April 3rd.
New hoardings are going up around the Mechanics’ Institute. The building remains in private ownership and therefore there’s a limit to what we can do to improve the site. It’s likely the hoardings will become the focus of relating GWR history and the Emlyn Square area. We’re progressing a project that could involve schools.
The trust has been providing guided tours for some time – often associated with the opening of the Railway Village Museum. We have recently received some additional training with other interested residents. Hopefully this will lead to more tours and raise awareness of the local built history. This will also cover north and south of the railway line, broadening the offer.
Getting involved
Enjoy continued membership of the MIT until 31st December 2022 – currently £1.00 plus donation.
The Mechanics’ Institution Trust is a charity so we rely on volunteers and charitable funding. Although we do generate income from the buildings we currently have responsibility for. We have a range of opportunities and are looking for volunteers and trustees. If you’re interested please use our website’s contact us form – we’ll be really pleased to hear from you!
You can write to us at: Mechanics’ Institution Trust, Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon SN1 5BP or visit https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/contact-us/
Or you can phone 01793 611277 and leave a message.
Booking the Community Centre or Bakers’
Please e-mail your enquiry to: centralcommunitycentre@mechanics-trust.org.uk
Our AGM
Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, the Mechanics’ Institution Trust will hold its AGM online via Zoom on Thursday February 3rd.
The meeting will start at 6.30pm and is open to trust members only. To qualify to attend as a member, you need to make your payment by February 2nd.
The public may attend via Zoom at 7.30pm. Please participate and ask questions about the Trust’s work. Zoom Link to the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86160574219?pwd=Z0Z6d2VnOFY2ZngrSmhkN1VTanlaUT09#success
See more Mechanics’ Matters newsletters here: https://swindonian.me/category/mechanics-institution/
AND – related:
https://swindonian.me/category/artscultureheritage/the-health-hydro/
