Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
A SMAG Summary So Far
Museum and art gallery summary
In recent weeks the Swindon Advertiser have published several articles apropos the museum and art gallery. So what follows is a summary of those articles from the start of August to date.
Share your Mechanics’ Memories!
For decades the Mechanics’ building was at the centre of the community. But today it stands empty. Many Swindonians have fond memories of time spent with friends and family in the building, from first dates and theatre performances to ping pong and dancing!
Sadly, some have only ever known it covered in weeds and scaffolding.
13. Hercule Belgian Stout
Recently, meandering round town with a Federation of Small Businesses colleague, Ruth Lambert, we chanced upon The Drink Valley – sounds good right? Well it is. There’s a good selection of beers some of which I doubt you’d find in the supermarket.
Unmemorable Dinosaura of Wiltshire
Before I get to uploading Rebecca’s words – it made me smile did this. Though I’m not sure what my dinosaur barmy, budding palaeontologist, 4-year old granddaughter would make of this.
We say Autumn – you say Fall
If you hold the belief that ‘fall’ is an American barbarism might want to think again. As this online etymology dictionary points out ‘fall’ (in simple terms) comes from the Old English ‘feallan’, past tense ‘feoll’, past participle ‘feallen’ – meaning to drop from a height; fail, decay or die.
Trick or Treat? A Halloween history
Hello once more dear listeners. Following on from my recent post about the term ‘Fall’ (autumn) here we are again with a bit more linguistic debunking – with some customs and traditions thrown in for good measure. This time regarding Halloween and Trick or Treat?
Pressure Group and Council Liaise
SBC has confirmed that they are reconsidering the museum and art gallery’s current home, Apsley House on Bath Road as an option to house the art and museum collections until they find a suitable alternative venue.
Mechanics’ Matters Newsletter No 2
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture. It brings together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers. Places across the country throw open their doors to celebrate their heritage, community and history. The Mechanics’ Institution Trust, in partnership with the Heritage Action Zone, are opening up some of its buildings and putting on several events.
Graham Seaman Media
Imagine if you will, that you want to launch a book but you’re in the middle of pandemic. So you can’t have an event in the usual way, at a venue with hordes (you hope) of people rocking up to buy copies of the book in question.
Memories of the Oasis
In the midst of the ongoing situation with the Oasis leisure centre, my ad-hoc guest blogger Rebecca Davies, shares her memories of the Oasis from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. My Memories of the Oasis, by Rebecca Davies BSc (Hons). I thought I ought to write...
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
