The GWR Park, Swindon’s oldest dedicated park, in the centre of Swindon’s award-winning GWR Railway Village conservation areabegan life in 1844 as a cricket ground. In that year, the GWR bought land from Lt.Col.Vilett, a local landowner. That land, to the west of the new Railway Village, between Faringdon Road and St Mark’s Church became first a cricket ground and later the GWR Park – known also to some as The Plantation or Victoria Park. Or Faringdon Road Park.
Aside from cricket, the park played – and still does play – a big role in the social life of the the railway village residents and wider Swindon. As such it occupies a special place in Swindon’s history.
Before 1841
Where the park and the GWR railway villagelie used to be open farmland. Colonel Villet, mentioned above, owned two pasture fields that provided the land for the park. They bore the names Rodbourne Lane Ground and Part of Great Ground.
1841 – 1870 – The Railway village and cricket field
1843 saw the GWR open a factory at Swindon for the building and maintenance of trains. At the same the first 300 cottages of the railway village appeared to accommodate the new workers. In 1844 the GWR bought a little over seven acres of further land to give space for or houses, a church, a vicarage, a church hall and a cricket ground.
The Children’s Fete is Swindon’s oldest summer event – dating back to 1866. Organised by the Mechanics’ Institution, it ran until 1939 – except during the Great War. And was only halted by the outbreak of WWII. In 2003, the Mechanics’ Institution Trustrevived the tradition and have run it most year’s since.
In 1903 the Children’s Fête was described as the ‘event of the year’. Around 30,000 took part and by 1907 40,000 people attended.
The Trust maintains the tradition of providing a free piece of cake to all the children attending. Thus, the event has once again become a popular and recognisable part of Swindon’s social calendar.
Sadly, the ornamental, formal gardens, along with the cricket pavilion, the bandstand and glasshouses are long gone. There’s a lovely archive photo of the park here on the Historic England website.
The park does though have a small play area for tiny tots. And, installed in November 2018, in the park’s northwest corner, a WWI memorial. It affords a peaceful spot for some quiet contemplation.
1871 – WWII – A designed park
During this period the open character of the cricket field morphed into a civic park – much like Town Gardens. There came a park keeper’s lodge, glasshouses, fountains and formal gardens.
Also around this time there appeared a drill hall in the parks’s north-west corner for the 190 men of the 11th (Wilts) New Swindon Rifle Corps.
Records show the park in frequent use for cricket, athletics, cycling and rugby. It was often a venue for the New Swindon and GWR Cricket teams. And also the New Swindon Wanderers rugby team.
During the Second World War the entire northern edge of the park was given over to trenches and/or shelters. The park had heavy use for drill practice and it’s said that fairground rides were put up in the park throughout the summer.
The park’s decline
Post war many of the park’s features were lost or removed – the bandstand and pavilion included – by 1956/57. The lodge and glass houses remained until much later though as you can see them on Ordnance Survey maps from 1067-71
A park with a view
What makes this park stand out is what you can see from it. As you walk around the park you can see several of Swindon’s land marks. There’s the water tower and UTC, St Mark’s Church of course. Then there’s Park House and – towering over everything, the David Murray John Tower. Not forgetting the view up to Radnor Street cemetery.
And besides all that, and despite the fact that the glasshouses and ornamental gardens are long on, it’s a lovely park. As soon as you’re a few steps inside it the traffic noise of Faringdon Road recedes and it’s all tranquil greenery.
He’s Out!
This 2015 article from the Swindon Advertiser reports how the legend that was WG Grace played in Swindon several times – both at this park and at the county cricket ground next to the football stadium.
‘Turning out for Bedminster against Swindon at Greenway Bush Lane, Bristol on May 7, 1870 Grace was caught and bowled for a duck by 25 year-old GWR worker John Laverick.
Back to make amends in the second innings, the Grace’s scalp was again acquired for a big, fat, delicious nought, courtesy of a gleeful Laverick.
Despite Grace’s “non-contribution” Bedminster won by eight wickets.
For a man who batted almost 1,500 first class innings, WG was only clobbered with a double-duck on three occasions.
We don’t know whether Laverick was a fast bowler, a spinner, or whatever. We do, however, know that in a sporting sense the Swindon foundry worker singed a very famous beard.’
IMHO, Intelligent Dialogue is a rather good name for a business that does what this Wiltshire-based business does do: training and coaching. And more of that soon.
But first let’s have a little look at the words that comprise this business’ name. Humour me – I did an English degree not long back – so I rather like a word! And there is a point to it – as I’m sure you’re intelligent enough to see.
The mass noun, intelligence, is late Middle English, via Old French from the Latin Intelligentia. That in turn comes from intelligere – meaning understand. Intelligence then is an ability to get and put to good use, knowledge and skills. Besides that, as well as being something we have (or not), intelligence is something we get when we gather political or military information.
Moving on to dialogue– one definition/application of the word is that of a discussion between two or more people or groups. In particular where it involves exploring of a certain subject or problem resolution.
You see now why this is such a great name for a training deliverer? ‘Yes, I do. Tell me more about them!’ I hear you cry.
By which I mean new(ish) to the Swindon/Wiltshire area – (Royal Wootton Bassett to be precise) and not new to their field. Nothing could be further from the truth there.
Indeed, they have well over twenty-five years’ experience in helping their clients to achieve tangible results from the training they deliver.
If you’re in the business of wanting to grow your business and need help with the following then you’re reading the right blog post:
Developing your sales team
Improving the quality of the telephone conversations you have with your customers
Developing your customer experience
Helping your team leaders and managers to flourish
Developing your future managers and leaders
‘Okay, so they’re experienced and they’ve been doing it for a long time. Well so have plenty of other coaching deliverers. Why should I choose them over the Terrific Training Delivery Company that I’ve used before?’
That’s a good and fair question. One which I’ll try to answer.
Why choose Intelligent Dialogue training and coaching for your training needs?
Well there’s the years of practice they’ve had between them for a start. They’ve walked the walk and talked the talk. And I know that’s a cliché – but that’s because it’s true. That’s how clichés form.
The people at Intelligent Dialogue have first-hand, hands-on experience of sales, of management, of call centres and of customer service. In short: they’re training you in what theyknow. That’s not always the case with trainers – there are some who work from a generic written training programme.
That expertise makes them credible. And with credibility comes faster participant buy-in. And buy-in brings faster results.
Tailored Training
What’s more, Intelligent Dialogue work with you and your specific outcomes in mind. What that means to you is this:
Intelligent Dialogue deliver a training course or a development programme that helps its participants build the skills and confidence they need to support your business. And that’s another thing that helps you achieve your ROI in the training.
Be In Tune with Intelligent Dialogue
Let’s assume now that you’ve seen enough to think ‘Yes! I’d love to use these people in my business. I’m sure they’d be great at meeting my customer service training needs but …’ The BUT being that you don’t have the budget. Well never fear, the Intelligent Dialogue, In Tune downloadable training materials are here.
Armed with these easy-to-use materials* you can run your own customer service training.
*Available in US English or British English packs.
You can download a free sample from the website before you commit yourself to buying. And there’s a whole range of materials to choose from. Buy them either as discrete units or as a complete In Tune training package. Either way you won’t hit a bum note.
Prices range from £150 + VAT for the In Tune with Extraordinary Service unit to £950 + VAT for the full package.
What do their clients say?
Another good and fair question. Why should you take my word for it?
Well, you don’t need to because there’s a whole heap of super testimonials here on their website. And a funky illustrated one plucked from their Twitter stream:
Public art at Swindon’s Orbital centre recognises the role of Swindon people in both the defence of the realm and the town’s transport history
Everyone knows about Swindon’s incredible railway history, and the effect it had on the world during its heyday. But fewer people are aware of is Swindon’s aviation heritage. But this piece of public art at the Orbital centre in north Swindon is doing its bit to spread the word.
Swindon Spitfire Heritage Celebrated in a public art piece called Made in Swindon. In this video Dr Mike Pringle talks about it
In the 1800s, Swindon-born, Victorian nature writer, Richard Jefferies, predicted manned flight. From that to the town’s links with today’s space industry, Swindon reaches fo the skies. And even beyond!
Swindon Spitfire Heritage Celebrated
This public art piece celebrates the town’s commitment to being at the forefront of transportation and the defence of the nation.
A range of artworks and interpretation boards tell the story. The installation includes: 1. paving slabs with pictures from students at Abbey North School 2. poems from children at Haydon Wick and Haydonleigh Primary Schools … 3…. and ever-changing art from other local children in the British Land Visitor Centre.
The centrepiece is a sculpture based on the shape and size of a Spitfire wing. It stands in honour of the aircraft built in Swindon towards the end of World War II.
Mike Pringle with the aviation related public art piece called ‘Made in Swindon’ at Orbital
About the Made in Swindon sculpture
The research and design of the sculpture and other works around the Orbital, is the work of local historian/artist Mike Pringle, of Green Rook. Mike is also director of the Richard Jefferies Museum near Coate Water.
The figures within the wing represent the men and women of Swindon involved in the town’s aviation heritage. Both in the sky and on the ground. Swindon provided pilots for the Battle of Britain, and female pilots for transporting planes from one place to another. Besides that, many women working on aircraft repair and construction.
Inthe centre of the sculpture, the two uprights and the glass panels represent tracks and sleepers of the railways. Out of which Swindon’s rich engineering heritage was born.
The management of Orbital shopping park, Broad Gates Estates, commissioned the public art on behalf of British Land. Local fabricators, Stainless Supplies Limited laser cut and welded the sculpture.
For more on the Spitfire you see above:
‘I only learned recently of Swindon’s connections with the aviation industry. And that’s where Supermarine and Vickers came in.
Around 1912 the first aeroplane, a Bleriot monoplane, visited Swindon. Then, not so many years later, Swindonians found themselves thrust into the midst of both aviation industry and history. In 1938 South Marston was chosen as a shadow site due to its good communication links and proximity to the skilled workforce of the Swindon’s GWR works. As Swindon Web explains, shadow sites were sites intended to provide back-up to the leading aircraft factories in the event of war-time attack.
As the jolly useful Swindon Web website further describes, at length the factory passed to Supermarine. The South Marston site became a shadow site of the Castle Bromwich site in the Midlands and the original Supermarine factory in Southampton.
Little remains of that factory now – it’s become an industrial estate. And in part of the massive Honda plant there are echoes while the sports club that was once part of Vickers still retains the name.
In addition of course, there’s the Supermarine roundabout and further homage to the Spitfire is paid in the industrial estate in the area.’
You may remember the Weighbridge Brewhouse under the management of the people from the Three Crowns at Brinkworth. It’s USP was that it was the same format as the Three Crowns: no starters, large plates of meat, tons of veg and lots of cream and butter. It was the closest thing that Swindon had to Fayn Dayning – though it wasn’t really. I loved it – though these days my digestive system is less enamoured of rich sauces. The desire is strong but the gut is weak.
Anyway – you have to now forget all that.
Cutting a long story short, new management took over the Weighbridge and it all went horribly wrong. Details not needed – suffice to say it went pear-shaped. So the owners, the Upham Group,decided to take stock, do a Fagin, and think it out again.
The place has been refurbed both inside and out. The front courtyard is now astro-turfed and equipped with some super luxus outdoor dining furniture. A mixture of stylish bench seating and tables, chairs and cushions. All with huge parasols. It’s rather smart. I had my eye on the plant pots on the table I admit.
The astroturfed outdoor dining area at the restaurant.
While indoors, they’ve reupholstered the seating and installed these rather funky illuminated tress. Possibly slightly kitsch? But I love kitsch. It’s a cavernous place is the Weighbridge so they do fill the space and add atmosphere. Overall a big thumbs up.
How do I know all this?
Well, as part of their thinking it out again process, the management decided to do some dry runs, with invited guests, to try it all out and – crucially – ask for feedback, before they unleash themselves upon the public. And I , and five fortunate pals, were blessed with an invite. I now feel guilty that the building is not included in Swindon in 50 Buildings… I couldn’t get them all in … sorry …
The happy diners and David!
What were our impressions?
Overall: really good. We’ll definitely go back.
Between us we picked a good cross-section of stuff from the menu. Again overall we were delighted but there were a few niggles – duly fed back at the end of the evening. Someone ordered a quinoa salad which was rather more green than quin … someone else felt that the lobster should have had a sauce and new potatoes rather than fries. While others in the group were delighted with their choices. I for one was happy to see a chimichurri dressing for steak alongside the usual cream sauce and pepper sauce. The sharing dessert platter got rave reviews and the sharing starters platter was also rather nice,
So a bit inconsistent – and needs sorting out. But nothing that would stop us going back.
Also fed back to them was to have low-level table centrepieces rather than tall vases. Nice touch to have them, but it got in the way of our view across the table. After we’d shifted it around umpteen times, Sandra, owner of Fabulous Functions UK and someone who knows a thing or two about table centrepieces, snapped off most of the stalks to create a lovely low arrangement that we could all see over.
Note to management – you’d do a lot worse than speak to Sandraabout these things. #justsaying
So that’s it for the negatives. To pick out the positives of the experience:
a. We loved the new look – both inside and out. b. It’s an interesting menu that will have seasonal variations c. It has a lovely outside eating area – few and far between in Swindon d. There’s lots of good places to eat in Swindon but they’re mostly … casual …what the Weighbridge represents is somewhere to go for something a bit special. e. ABOVE ALL what impressed me was that the management are making a huge effort to put right what evidently went wrong. Kudos to them for that. And I think that deserves our support.
So if you’re one of those that went there in recent weeks and months and weren’t happy – give it another go. They’re working super hard to get it right.
‘Our building used to be a Weighbridge! At the turn of the industrial revolution Weighbridges were used in station yards and at railway depots to weigh goods before they were sent onto their destinations.
Our building is pretty big as it had to be able to house massive amounts of freight. It was nearly derelict when it was purchased and renovated and now is a fantastic dining space with room for 120 downstairs and 30 on our mezzanine level which houses a beautiful glass piano.’
At last! It’s been my intention to feature thesmall but perfectly formed Shoebox Theatreon here for ages of a crow. Yet somehow or other I’ve failed. Never mind – they’re here now!
Who or what are they?
The box office/cash desk/reception at the Shoebox Theatre
Managed by the Wrong Shoes Theatre Company, the space supports new and contemporary work, hosts an exciting programme of contemporary theatre and provides quality theatre training.’
*In truth the historic and important Health Hydro/Milton Rd baths lie just outside the boundary of the actual railway village conservation area. Though they are in the railway village.
Having been in the Artsite/Postmodern/old post officebuilding on Theatre Square, the theatre company are now ensconced in Milton Road baths in the former laundry rooms. Here, in collaboration with GLL and the Wrong Shoes theatre company, they’ve converted these historic rooms into an affordable fringe theatre and rehearsal venue.
It seems to me that this theatre and arts space is a fabulous addition to Swindon’s cultural offering. I love that they have Swindon-born (well Purton but close enough for government work) Billie Piper as a patron! Before she filled our screens as Rose Tyler in Dr Who, my awareness of her had been a passing one. I’m sure as heck aware of her now as she’s gone from strength to strength. Well done Billie.
Having been in the Artsite/Postmodern/old post officebuilding on Theatre Square, the theatre company are now ensconced in Milton Road baths in the former laundry rooms. Here, in collaboration with GLL and the Wrong Shoes theatre company, they’ve converted these historic rooms into an affordable fringe theatre and rehearsal venue.
It seems to me that this theatre and arts space is a fabulous addition to Swindon’s cultural offering. I love that they have Swindon-born (well Purton but close enough for government work) Billie Piper as a patron! Before she filled our screens as Rose Tyler in Dr Who, my awareness of her had been a passing one. I’m sure as heck aware of her now as she’s gone from strength to strength. Well done Billie.
He’s right in this: ‘Swindon has an abundance of talented young performers and emerging artists but, like me, they were seeking theatre out of town and more importantly they relied on creative opportunities further afield. We needed an affordable creative space to create new work and so do the other amazing talents in the town and that’s what we want to achieve with the Shoebox Theatre.’
The theatre runs an educational programme, with weekly classes for beginners, advanced classes for the more experienced. Also weekly stage combat classes and masterclasses with theatre professionals. Find out more about the theatre’s education programme here.
All in all Shoebox Theatre is a perfect fit. No blisters here! Long may that continue.
