No 24 Fleet Street is one of the buildings I mention in the New Swindon/town centre trail that I wrote in my Born Again Swindonian guidebook. The whole point of that trail – indeed the entire book – is to urge and encourage the reader to find the interest, the story – yes even the beauty – in the less obvious. It exhorts one to look up because so often that’s where you’ll find the aforementioned.
And this building is no exception. Indeed it’s a perfect example. At street level, as the photograph below shows, it’s pretty dire. In fact, it’s a bloody eyesore. BUT – look up and you see the remnants of a once attractive building. Or at least you did before developers got their hands on it. And more of that at the end.
No 24 Fleet Street 1902 – taken late March 2023
The images below show the windows on No 24 Fleet Street before developers mucked about with it. With thanks to Strolling in Swindon for these. Well – I’m calling it Fleet Street but of course, being on the corner, it’s Fleet Street and Bridge Street.
Now compare and contrast:
The drainpipe records this building as being built in 1902. Thanks to Strolling in Swindon for this one.
The Public Benefit Boot Company
Anyway, way before this building housed the Liquor Lounge and various other drinking establishments before that, it housed the Public Benefit Boot Company. And doesn’t that sound grand? Indeed, as this website points out, the company name makes a grandiose claim to philanthropy and altruism. In Victorian times such claims were pretty commonplace and often little more than a cynical advertising ploy. Below you see it in its heyday. Thanks to “Local Studies (Swindon Libraries)” for use of the image taken on April 30, 1908.
No 24 Fleet Street Swindon also known as The Public Benefit Boot Company Source: Scan of a postcard from our image collection. Date: 1908. Postmark: 30th April 1908, East Dowes. Repository: Local Studies at Swindon Central Library.
When, in 1875, this company came into being, multiple branch retail was a new thing. The multiple system promised to bring cheaper goods within reach of the working classes by following three key principles:
Cutting out the middleman
Refusing credit – no cash – no buy
Bulk purchasing
Many companies thus fulfilled their noble pledge to benefit the public. They also made a tidy fortune for their founders and managers.
The Founder
1875 saw William Henry Franklin opened the doors of his meagre Public Benefit Boot shop for the first time. The Victorian era was enjoying a period of prosperity. great technological progress, enormous optimism and expansion. Within thirty years his little shop in Hull had evolved into a nationwide network of 200 boot stores. Also several repair shops and four modern factories stretching from Newcastle to Cornwall, South Wales and Ireland.
Franklin worked with other shoe making families. He co-operated with the likes of Lennard, Dickinson, Harker, Kirby, and Hunn. Lennard and Franklin were soon making and selling boots and shoes by the million. They cut out the middle man; gave no credit; and consistently made quality and fashionable shoes.
Advertising was critical to their success. And Henry Lennard used a special cart carrying a large boot which stood four feet high from which the driver’s head and torso stuck out as he drove the horse.
1883 saw the horse-drawn boot registered as a trade mark in Bristol. They’d merged with Dickinson’s in 1897 and again with Lennards after 1904. After the Second World War they renamed themselves the Benefit Footwear Ltd. They merged with Saxone and Lilly & Skinner in 1957 and became part of Charles Clore’s British Shoe Corporation in 1962. And that’s when the name finally vanished from so many high streets.
‘… the developers working in Regent Street have removed the elaborate window from the corner shop, that’s been there since 1902 and replaced it with modern PVC windows. This it appears, is completely contrary to the plans submitted to the Council for planning permission, and contrary to the permission granted.
The Council are aware of this and I’ve since been told that the Council are furious that the developers haven’t followed the original plans. Permission wasn’t given to remove the window frames unless they were to be restored. Further they were given clear instructions that they were not to be removed. One stipulation was that ‘The development hereby permitted shall not be used or occupied until the facades including windows and all masonry detail of numbers 18, 22 and 24 Bridge Street and 16 Fleet Street have been restored and refurbished.’
The council are making an active planning enforcement investigation after the public made complaints about the loss of the windows.
And this lovely vintage street sign has disappeared too. That’ll be on Ebay I’ll be bound.
‘ …Swindon has a number of authors who don’t get a look in at the Swindon literature festival. Something I totally understand, because for the festival to make money and have access to the fantastic venues they use, they need to get bums on seats. And for that, the authors need to be well-known.
Many of the authors who are local, have never been heard of by Swindon people.
Myself and Hannah are sharing a pitch as our wares somewhat complement each other without competing. What with Hannah’s very wonderful book being for children. It’s a super book that my granddaughter really engaged with.
So do please support the event – it’s a great initiative and collaboration between Lis and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust. This is the first – here’s to many more!
Explainer video
Here’s a fab video by Eight Interactive that gives an overview of my publications:
Churchward House, now housing offices, is named for George Jackson Churchward CBE ( 1857-1933). He served as the GWR’s mechanical engineer from 1902-1922.
Churchward House Swindon
This imposing Grade II listed stone building sits adjacent to the Outlet Centre and isn’t far from Swindon’s railway station.
Listed in 1984, the entry on the Historic England website describes the building as squared rubble with brick and ashlar dressings. The original part of the building served as the manager’s office in 1846. Sir Daniel Gooch was most likely the designer and builder of Churchward House.
Sturrock, Minard C Rea, Armstrong and Dean as well as Churchward would also have used the building when they served as Works’ manager.
The building’s architectural interest stems from it being part of the original GWR Works designed by Brunel and Gooch. It opened in 1843 and saw extension in 1855-6. The great expansion of the 1870s saw the building altered and extended.
Churchward House – front view
Works Expansion
The 1846 expansion of the Works produced a new iron store with two rooms to serve as offices for Archibald Sturrock, the first Work’s manager. His first office had been a cubicle under the stairs in the office suite on the yard’s east side. 1849 saw enlargement of the iron stores and the addition of two more rooms for Sturrock and his staff.
Further building work in the 1890s saw the building of a new iron store with rail access in the north yard. This allowed for the conversion of the existing iron stores into offices. The 1889 expansion provided the new offices with a central atrium and a fine staircase, still in situ today. cast iron columns with acanthus leaf capitals cast in the Works iron Foundry support the top floor. This spacious office block has since provided accommodation for successive locomotive Works managers, their assistants and staff who’ve been responsible for the locomotive factory accounts, time keeping, piecework, pay bills and stores invoices.
The Swindon Works closed in 1986. Since then there’s been much demolishing of buildings. But, along with the original core of workshops, the manager’s office block, Churchward House, had extensive refurbishment that retained its original architectural features.
Immediately to the east of Churchward House you’ll see a traversing table – the only one left on the site. I do in fact mention this in my Born Again Swindonian’s guide bookas part of the GWR heritage trail wot I wrote.
A polished, black marble headstone and kerb with a bronze plate. The inscription reads: ‘In memory of George Jackson Churchward CBE, JP, Chief Mechanical Engineer, Great Western Railway Company 1902-1921. First mayor and first Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Swindon died 19 December 1933, aged 76 years.
The list includes the tomb for its historic interest.
It’s location: CRICKLADE STREET. SU 1583. NE SWINDON (east side) 8/61 Churchward tomb, 60m east-north-east in churchyard of east chancel wall.
Close up of the plaque on Churchward’s grave in SwindonGeorge Jackson Churchward’s grave in Swindon’s Christ ChurchThe man himself – George Jackson Churchward in 1900 – cutting a fine figure in a photo in the Civic Offices
Former Paralympian Louise Hunt Skelley PLY becomes a mentor for the Tim Henman Foundation
Louise Hunt Skelley Turns Mentor. Former elite British wheelchair tennis player Louise Hunt Skelley PLY has become a mentor for the youth charity the Tim Henman Foundation.
The foundation works across the UK to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. It works to improve mental and physical health by creating sporting and educational opportunities.
Louise, who lives in Wroughton near Swindon, enjoyed a successful global playing career. She is one of Wiltshire’s most successful paralympic athletes. This will be her first time mentoring within the charity.
Louise Hunt, Paralympian, commercial portrait taken by Barbara Leatham Photography.
Great excitement
I’m excited to be part of this organisation. I’ve followed the charity’s work over the years, so am delighted to discover there may be a role for me. I already have several schools waiting for a visit.
‘I was lucky enough when I was younger to meet other people. People who like myself have a disability and were achieving great things. It was seeing those people that made me realise what was possible. Through the mentoring and sessions I deliver for the Tim Henman Foundation I can offer to others what I had offered to me,’ said Louise
James Feaver, CEO of the Tim Henman Foundation said, ‘We’re very happy to be working with Louise as a mentor. She has a unique story and has overcome profound struggles to achieve success. She is exactly the type of role model that young people need. It’s our hope to continue a long-lasting relationship with Louise!’
The Tim Henman Foundation
The Tim Henman Foundation facilitates mentorship provision alongside the delivery of programmes to give the young people the support and positive guidance they need.
James Feaver explained: ‘It’s unfortunate that 15 per cent of young people claim they don’t have any role models at all. That figure rises to twenty-one per cent for those from poorer backgrounds. Targeting programmes in areas of deprivation and providing mentors means we can guide youngsters in a positive direction.’
Louise
Louise represented Great Britain at both the London and Rio Paralympics. She’s won thirteen senior singles and forty-one senior doubles titles, with a career-high world ranking of ten.
She made two Wimbledon appearances as a player. In 2015 in the doubles and the following year in both the singles and doubles event. That being the first-year that Wimbledone held singles at the event. Today she is one of the commentators at Wimbledon.
3 years & no museum and art gallery in Swindon is not one bit fine. It’s not fine at all. Swindon must be the only town in Wiltshire NOT to have a museum. It sure as hell feels like it anyway. And it’s pathetic. And it’s an embarrassment. Further, a small selection of paintings on the ground floor of the civic offices and a few ceramics in a case in a meeting room in the same building, do not a credible museum alternative make.
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls – Pablo Picasso
Well, Swindon has been short of a major washroom for three years now. I’m not saying that Swindon has no other arts activity – that wouldn’t be true. It also wouldn’t be the point! The town, its people – its CHILDREN – have now been denied access to our wonderful art, our brilliant local collections, the archeology, the prehistoric stuff and – of course – the croc, for three years now.
Anyway!
Friday the 17th March 2023, marks the third anniversary of Swindon museum and art gallery closing. To mark this lamentable situation there’ll be a gathering outside Apsley House on the aforementioned date at 1pm. With cake!
If you’re wondering why a croc, or gharial to be precise, read this:
‘Museums can increase our sense of wellbeing, help us feel proud of where we have come from, can inspire, challenge and stimulate us, and make us feel healthier.’
The local collections in SM&AG for sure made us proud of our town. They helped to tell its story. The Garrard record decks, the Bluebird toys, the vintage/veteran fire engine, the archeological artefacts – all played their part in telling Swindon’s story. And IT’S ALL OUT OF SIGHT. Our adults can’t reminisce and our children can’t learn!
Further the article states:
‘With society facing issues such as poverty, inequality, intolerance and discrimination, museums can help us understand, debate, and challenge these concerns.’
Unless you’re in Swindon that is. What with 3 years & no museum.
Business benefits
Aside from everything above there are benefits to business from having a thriving museum and art gallery. An obvious cultural scene offers an attraction to people considering coming to a town for work. Those people spend and that’s good for the local economy. And so on and so forth.
I’ve sat in business networking meetings listening to men in suits bemoaning the fact that they can’t get more men in suits to come and work in Swindon. And that’s because there’s a pervasive perception beyond Swindon that the place has no culture. It’s not true of course. But the reputation persists. ERGO YOU’D THINK WOULDN’T YOU that it would be axiomatic for the council to do all it could to dispel these beliefs? But no. Instead they turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy and close SM&AG. Genius!
So here we are. Despite an active Save our Museum and Art Gallery campaign and what feels like a half-hearted attempt by SBC to convert the top floor of the civic offices into an interim* museum/art gallery we’re not much further forward. Instead we’re 3 years & no museum.
*interim – until the much-vaunted cultural quarter comes to pass. Speaking for nobody but myself, I’d say the chances of the cultural quarter actually ever happening are as real as fairies at the bottom of the garden. Given that there’s been talk of such a thing since 1968 my confidence levels aren’t high.
