Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
13. Upper Stratton Baptist Church Swindon 1861
With this Swindon in 50 More Buildings series my quest to include different areas of town continues, as it did in my Swindon in 50 Buildings book. What I can also do with this series, that I couldn’t with the book, is look at some buildings in the wider borough. But for now, with this post, I’m in Upper Stratton with the Upper Stratton Baptist Church.
Royal Wootton Bassett Mud Springs
From time to time something gets discovered that is new and surprising. Royal Wootton Bassett mud springs are definitely new and surprising. These are springs that instead of upwelling water, as springs generally do, produce goopey clay mud.
Festival of Tomorrow Going Online
February 2021 Festival of Tomorrow shows go on-demand as thousands enjoy Swindon’s virtual festival and ask for more! Festival of Tomorrow Going OnlineThe organisers of the Festival of Tomorrow have responded to massive demand to make the talks and shows available on...
Greendown Copse in Grange Park
I think it was during the first pandemic lockdown last March, that I came across Greendown Copse in Grange Park. Limited by lockdown to my neighbourhood I took to wandering around hitherto unexplored parts of my neighbourhood. And that’s how I came upon this delightful little treasure tucked away amidst 1980s suburbia.
Swindon’s Young on Literary Success Quest
Young people from Swindon are part way through writing and illustrating their first book. It’s an interactive fantasy adventure, and they need your support to get it published.
12. The WH Smith Offices 1966-67
I’d had no particular thought about including the WH Smith offices in this series. But then, as is so often the way, I saw something on Twitter that piqued my interest and persuaded me that I should. What I saw was this article from the 20th century society about getting the building – what’s left of it – listed.
Fighting social media stereotypes of ageing
Fighting social media stereotypes of ageing
Members of the public from Swindon and Wiltshire are being asked to post their own photos of everyday life. Why? To help challenge negative stereotypes of ageing and biased social media algorithms. All as part of the town’s online Festival of Tomorrow.
The Great Forest of Braydon
The friends of Lydiard Park tell us, on their website, that the great forest of Braydon once extended across north Wiltshire. It covered much of the ground where Swindon now stands as well as the land destined to become Lydiard Park.
11. Anderson’s Almshouses Old Town 1865
Now known as Anderson’s hostel, Anderson’s alms houses in Old Town – on Cricklade Street to be precise – were built thanks to a bequest by one Alexander Anderson in 1865. He made his bequest of £1, 636 for the benefit of the poor.
10. The Oasis Pleasure Dome 1975
For No 10 in my series on Swindon in 50 More Buildings we’re paying a visit to the Oasis Pleasure Dome. Have you got your towel under your arm?
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
