Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
45. The Burton Building Swindon 1931
I’m including the Burton building Swindon in this series for much the same reason as I’ve included 20 Fleet Street – the YMCA building. That reason being to record a fine building (another one) going to waste and dereliction.
Otherwise known as 24-25 Bridge Street, AJ Colborne built it for Montague Burton Ltd and the Lucania Temperance billiard hall. Begun in 1929, 1931 saw it completed.
Lisa George is Fairy Godmother
Corrie favourite Lisa George will swap the cobbles for a horse and carriage this festive season. It’s confirmed that she’ll play Fairy Godmother in this year’s magical family pantomime Cinderella. Running at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon from 07 December 2024 to 05 January 5 2025.
Athelstan Takes Centre Stage
Residents, volunteers and businesses in Malmesbury are getting ready to host a bumper programme of 27 events. It’s all to mark the 1100th anniversary of the accession of King Athelstan – the first King of England. And it all begins on Friday June 28.
44. 94 Ermin Street Stratton 1800s
94 Ermin Street Stratton. Today it’s an estate agent but this unprepossessing building was the crucible of the Morse family’s commercial empire. For 94 Ermin Street was the retail premises of Primitive Methodist, Charles Morse. And, if you’ve any knowledge of Swindon’s history at all, the name Morse ought to be familiar to you.
Grano Lab Italian Restaurant
Grano Lab Italian Restaurant you’ll find in what was Gaetano’s on Victoria Road in Old Town.
GWR Park Substation Mural
The GWR Park Substation Mural has sprung to life thanks to a community mural project.
PR podcast reaches download milestone
PR podcast reaches download milestone. A podcast whose mission is to shed light on the world of PR, to help businesses build their brand, has reached more than 4,000 downloads.
Fiona Scott launched ‘PR not BS with Fiona Scott’ in December 2021. The podcast has aired over seventy episodes.
43. The Carriage Works 1868-74
The carriage works. The first thing to say about them is that, despite what you read on the Internet, this collection of buildings are NOT Brunel’s. They are in fact the work/initiative of chief mechanical engineer, Joseph Armstrong.* Brunel died in 1859. And the carriage works didn’t appear for another decade!
42. Inglesham Church 13th Century
Inglesham Church, aka The Church of St John the Baptist, is the second of a trio of 13th century churches that I’m including in this Swindon in 50 More Buildings series. Not that they’re in any particular order, but the first of them is the church of St Michael and All The Angels in Highworth. The third one will focus on St Mary’s church in Rodbourne Cheney but in this post we’re going to Inglesham.
Malmesbury gardening and art competitions returns
The search is on for green-fingered residents and business owners to enter the annual Malmesbury in Bloom Garden Competition.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
