20 Fleet Street Swindon is in a sorry state. Even so it warrants a place in Swindon in 50 More Buildings. For this once fine building has had a varied history. One that I want to record before it gets into a worse state and/or ends up ruined like its near neighbour at No 24 Fleet Street – otherwise known as The Public Benefit Boot Company. The developers actions on the windows of that building are an utter travesty. That’s with ‘enforcement’ apparently …
Besides that, I mention this building in my Born Again Swindonian’s guide book in a New Swindon walk/trail. In the book I urge readers to look up. I mean … it’s still worth doing that of course. Take a look and consider how lovely it was once. Look past what you see now – and what you see now is what you see below. It’s got windows open, a plantation growing on it … just going to rack and ruin in general.
It’s in private ownership – more on that later – and that’s an all too common scenario. Private landlords sit on buildings that get into this state and slowly ghettoise the areas in which they’re located. As this building – and the Burton building on the corner – are doing to Fleet Street/bottom end of Bridge Street.
20 Fleet Street Swindon 1897 photographed in May 2024
How it began life
Drew & Sons architects and builders built 20 Fleet Street in 1897 as the North Wilts Conservative and Liberal Unionist Club.
Drawing taken from ‘Architects & Building Craftsmen with Work in Wiltshire Part 2’
Over the years the building has housed the Southern Electricity Board offices, the Litten Tree pub, The Big Fish (2007), Fever (2013), Groove in 2014 and, most recently, Incognito. (Thanks to Strolling in Swindon for that info)
It makes me so bluddy sad to see what used to be a lovely Victorian building reduced to this.
Another HMO – yay!! While I understand we need quality residential stock in what was a retail area and all that stuff – a giant HMO – can we not do better than that?
‘The former YMCA and more latterly pub at 20 Fleet Street can be converted into either a 34-room house of multiple occupation or two flats and a 10-bed HMO.
But it still stands empty and the distinctive façade has paint peeling off and plants such as buddleia growing from nooks and crannies and widows falling in nearly a year after Andrew Thomas of Fleet Street property based in Malmesbury was given permission by Swindon Borough Council to put either of his proposals into action.’
So, Mr Andrew Thomas of Fleet Street Property Malmesbury – I put it to you that the people of Swindon deserve better from you than a decaying building and a matching decaying area … so crack on. ‘Cos even a giant HMO is better than what we’re looking at!
The Old Post Office, Highworth – 23 High Street SN6 7AG
The Historic England entry for 23 High Street Highworth tells us that this Grade II* listed early C18 building bears evidence, in its physical fabric of an earlier C16 structure. The latter was, it’s most probable, timber-framed, of at least two bays on a double burgage plot. Surviving features include an original closed wattle and daub roof truss.
HE further opines on the existence of documentary references pointing to an inn on this site in the C17 and C18. It would seem that, in 1738, No 23 and the adjoining Inigo House were owned by a merchant, Thomas Hewer. When the inn closed it became a shop and a bakery. As for the post office, that appears to have existed from 1918 at least.
And it’s for the post office – or rather a postmistress, Mabel Stranks – that you find this building within this Swindon in 50 More Buildings series. For it holds within its fabric an astonishing tale of an astonishing woman.
If the reason for including in this series, at least some of the buildings that I have, is because of the stories they tell, then this one is the ubiquitous no-brainer.
Old Post Office Highworth – it now houses a charity shopCommemorative plaque from Highworth town Council on the old post office Highworth
Who was Mabel Stranks?
Who indeed? Well, Mrs Stranks served as Highworth’s postmistress, sending telegrams and sorting stamps for over half-a-century. But what no-one who entered that post office knew – indeed even her closest family didn’t know. Was that this woman, who looked like anyone’s grandma, was a key figure in Winston Churchill’s guerrilla army. And that as such she became a name on Hitler’s hit list. *
So, as the aforementioned blog explains, in the dark days of 1940, Britain had the Nazis poised across the channel. During this time the country set up a secret resistance force. As part of this process, dozens of volunteers worked in roles considered vital for the war effort. So the gov asked them instead to undertake what was, in essence a suicide mission. Should an occupation happen that is.
And who would suspect a postmistress? A pillar of the community surely?
It’s hard now to imagine sleepy Highworth and its grey-haired postmistress having involvement in top secret, dangerous shenanigans. But involved they were. Not that the town knew at the time that, between 1941 and 1944, Mabel assisted in the secret recruitment of the Auxiliary Units.
I’m not going to reproduce the whole of the British Resistance Archive blog here. You can follow the link and read it for yourself. AND – visit the old post office and read the information board there. See below.
But – as Tom Sykes, founder of CART said. ‘This is a remarkable story of an incredible woman and the part she played in one of the most secretive organisations of WWII.
We can’t underestimate the bravery of Mrs Stranks. The life expectancy of an Auxiliary Unit member was just 14 days. And Mabel was all too aware of the reprisals that had been meted out by the Germans to anyone found to be resisting or helping those that were. She never accepted recognition for her part in this secret operation. And, like many of those she screened, she never talked to anyone about her role until her very last days.’
The Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART) publishes its findings on the British Resistance Archive (BRA) website. CART also provides an internal network for serious and dedicated researchers. These researchers focus on the British Resistance and agree with CART’s core value of making the research public.
CART is made up of select volunteer historians and published writers known as County Information Officers (CIOS) and also public members.
CART is not a business or an academic body of professional researchers.
CART is non-profit making and has no financial support from any company or organisation. It’s funded solely by donations and the revenue it makes from the sale of various items sold in the shop.
Since CART’s birth in June 2009 the website has seen over 110,000 unique visitors. Further it’s attracted TV, Radio and national press attention.
Hidden away in the countryside near Swindon, thousands of civilians were trained to form a lethal army of guerilla fighters ready to thwart any German invasion.
All these stories and more are bound up in Coleshill, an estate in the Cotswolds that was the secret HQ of Britain’s guerrilla army during WWII….’
Malmesbury to Light a Beacon to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day landings. The town of Malmesbury will join the international programme of activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Thursday June 6. This will include the lighting of a beacon as a mark of remembrance and respect.
D-Day was the largest naval, air and land operation ever seen, with a collaboration of allies joining forces. It was a turning point in World War 2 which then ended on 8 May 1945.
A tribute will be read and the beacon lit in Cuckingstool Mead, Malmesbury at 9.15pm. Residents and visitors will be welcomed to the commemoration evening from 8pm.
Musical accompaniment
The event will include music from Malmesbury Concert Band, a bar, and fish & chip mobile van, as it’s also National Fish & Chip Day. And that’s quintessentially British. Malmesbury Concert Band has twenty-five musicians who will play a varied repertoire of music appropriate for the occasion. They’ll play from 8pm to 8.45pm then from 9.30pm to the event’s close.
Malmesbury’s Mayor Cllr Phil Exton said: ‘We’re proud to be part of the international 80th D Day celebrations. It’s very important to remember the D Day landings and give our thanks for the courage and bravery of all those who took part in the military operation. Whether on the frontline or behind the scenes. Every community in the UK felt the effect of the war. And we are thankful to those who defended our freedoms then and today.
We hope many people in Malmesbury and nearby will join us to mark this auspicious occasion.’
The battle that ensued led to the loss of 1000s of lives but proved pivotal in the fight against the Nazis. It was a turning point in the war – it ended almost a year later.
The first international beacon will be lit at 8.15pm overlooking Gold Beach, in Normandy. Following it are beacons on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Juno and Sword. This will then lead to beacons being lit around the world to remember.
Other activities taking place in Malmesbury the same day include the official proclamation at the Town Hall at 8am and the town bells ringing at 6.30pm.
This community event is free to attend and updates are available on the council’s website or social media – https://www.malmesbury.gov.uk
GENEROUS DONATION ALLOWS MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE ATHELSTAN 1100 IN ANGLO SAXON STYLE.
A generous donation from an entrepreneurial couple who have adopted Malmesbury as their second home is allowing the Athelstan Museum to host amazing Anglo Saxon artefacts to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming King.
Whit and Kim Hanks, the owners of the Old Bell Hotel and Abbey House in the town, have donated £5,000 to the Athelstan Museum. This means that the team can give a temporary home to some stunning artifacts including:
Donation Allows Museum to Celebrate – the Athelstan museum team
The charter of Athelstan to the burgesses of Malmesbury
This is the earliest known version of a charter by which Athelstan is supposed to have granted common land of about 600 acres to the burgesses of Malmesbury.
Bede the Venerable, Two Lives of St Cuthbert
The first two pages including the famous picture of Athelstan presenting the book to St. Cuthbert.
The Abingdon Sword – a hilt and sword fragment of a late Anglo Saxon c875AD
Many and varied celebrations
The town of Malmesbury is celebrating throughout the summer of 2024 as it’s 1100 years since Athelstan became the first King of England. And Malmesbury was central to his life and reign. He chose the Abbey as his buriel place. Though the exact location is a mystery as someone moved his remains 200 years after his death.
There are a range of celebrations and events going on across the town. And the Athelstan Museum is holding an exhibition as part of those activities. They’ll be showcasing items on loan from The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the British Library and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Chairman of the Trustees Sharon Nolan said: ‘The items are wonderful and are being loaned to us free of charge. But there are insurance and security implications around hosting them and that is why we need to raise funds. We’re very grateful to Whit and Kim Hanks for being our main sponsors for the exhibition.’
Whit and Kim love the Athelstan Museum. It’s home to the ‘Hanks’ clock, made by a relative of Whit’s whose seventh great grandfather, Benjamin Hanks came from Malmesbury. He left for America in 1699.
A Malmesbury love affair
The couple, who live and run their own hospitality company in Dripping Springs, Texas, have fallen in love with Malmesbury.
‘We’re so thrilled to be able to support this exhibition at the Athelstan museum. And also in doing so, support a whole range of activities planned across the summer in the town. We cannot wait to be part of the celebrations,’ Kim said.
Extra funds to meet the strict requirements around hosting the artifacts have come from the King Athelstan Memorial Fund (anyone else) and some private donors who are friends of the museum. Volunteers will be giving extra time over the summer to keep the museum open to welcome an upswell of visitors who they expect to flock to Malmesbury over the summer months.
Introducing Swindon Heritage Preservation – otherwise known as the Mechanics’ Institution Trust.
The Mechanics’ Institution Trust has rebranded with a new public-facing name: Swindon Heritage Preservation. Our new slogan is ‘Conserving What Matters to Our Community’. Along with our new logo, we’re working with a local graphic designer to develop a new visual identity. An identity that includes all the buildings we currently operate, as well as some important heritage buildings and features of Swindon railway village and the WORKS area.
Introducing Swindon Heritage Preservation – otherwise known as the Mechanics’ Institution Trust.
The Mechanics’ Institution Trust has rebranded with a new public-facing name: Swindon Heritage Preservation. Our new slogan is ‘Conserving What Matters to Our Community’. Along with our new logo, we’re working with a local graphic designer to develop a new visual identity. An identity that includes all the buildings we currently operate, as well as some important heritage buildings and features of Swindon railway village and the WORKS area.
We’ll be rolling this branding out over the coming months, so watch this space…
Introducing Swindon Heritage Preservation – otherwise known as the Mechanics’ Institution Trust.
The Mechanics’ Institution Trust has rebranded with a new public-facing name: Swindon Heritage Preservation. Our new slogan is ‘Conserving What Matters to Our Community’. Along with our new logo, we’re working with a local graphic designer to develop a new visual identity. An identity that includes all the buildings we currently operate, as well as some important heritage buildings and features of Swindon railway village and the WORKS area.
Introducing Swindon Heritage Preservation – logo
Branding
Our new brand is important because it represents our identity, current operations, and future ambitions. Since our formation in 1995, we’ve transformed from a campaign group focused exclusively on the Mechanics’ Institution into a building preservation trust. An organisation dedicated to championing Swindon’s heritage and empowering our community.
Our new name also reflects our status as Swindon’s only building preservation trust. The Trust combines building restoration, conservation and history. And also community spaces, social enterprise, and private hire. We further operate various events, activities and groups, including:
Our award-winning global gardeners programme
Annual heritage open days
Educational visits to the railway village museum
Heritage lectures
Tours of the railway village
A model-making club and much, much more.
Our buildings
We currently operate four Grade II listed buildings in the railway village. They are:
Central community centre
The railway village museum
the Cricketers …
… and the Bakers
Further we remain a powerful advocate for the rescue and restoration of the Mechanics’ Institution. We aspire to grow even further. With significant progress achieved in the past five years, we’re well-placed to play a leading role in the regeneration and reuse of Swindon’s heritage across the borough.
Why Swindon Heritage Preservation?
‘Swindon’ places us geographically. It connects us to our town and community. It also reflects our commitment to offering advice and services across the town and championing all communities and people.
‘Heritage’ represents our core identity. It further establishes the parameters of our work. It’s our firm belief that heritage includes natural and built landscapes. Also buildings, memories and ideas. Not forgetting art and expression, artefacts and books, and traditions and conservation. We’re interested in collecting, celebrating, sharing, promoting and preserving Swindon’s rich and diverse history and heritage.
‘Preservation’ signifies the work we do to conserve, protect, restore and promote all aspects of Swindon’s heritage. And the preservation of our buildings serves as our main priority.
The Mechanics’ Institution
The Mechanics’ Institue
Our trust formed in 1995 with one sole purpose: to save the Mechanics’ Institution as a community heritage asset for the future generations of Swindon. Since then we’ve championed the conservation of the Mechanics’. We believe that, with commitment and perseverance, we cn secure the sustainable public reuse of the building in the near future.
Changes
In the past five years, the Trust has undergone significant changes. We’re now a building preservation trust with ambitions to grow our future operations in, and beyond, the railway village conservation area. Yet we remain committed to the rescue and restoration of the Mechanics’ Institution. We continue to work with our strategic partners, including Swindon Borough Council, Historic England, and the Theatre’s Trust to secure a sustainable future for the building.
1. reviewing and updating the 2020 viability study
2. Identifying an achievable funding strategy …
3. … and addressing the ownership issue.
Backing the strategy is an initial budget of £110,000, with an option to raise a further £100,00 if needs be.
It’s our belief that the cabinet proposals are the best chance that Swindon has had to deliver a restored Mechanics’ in many, many years. Hence we’ll continue to work closely with the Council to ensure the implementation of the route map, and the long-awaited restoration of the Mechanics’.
Bob Wright, Acting Chair of Swindon Heritage Preservation, said:
‘The decision to adopt Swindon Heritage Preservation as our public-facing name represents an important moment in the history of the Trust. We’ve grown from a campaign group with a sole focus to a community-focused organisation. One tasked with championing all Swindon’s unique heritage for the benefit of all Swindonians.
We’re proud to be playing a leading role in the regeneration and conservation of Swindon’s historic Railway Village and have aspirations to grow further. We remain dedicated to the rescue, restoration and reuse of the Mechanics’. We believe that a resolution on the building’s sustainable future is within reach.
Whether it be:
Our work in restoring the historic Cricketers building
Or our community-led programme of events and activities or …
… our package of educational and skills-based opportunities, we’re turning words into action and bringing back Swindon’s heritage.’
If you share our passion for heritage, and want to be a part of our journey, you can become a member from as little as £1 (plus donation) per year or join us as a volunteer.
