Swindonian Blog Posts
Swindon news, views, history and culture
Coate Water Miniature Railway Swindon
August 2015
Hurrah!! After twenty-two years in Swindon I made it to the miniature railway at Coate Water. It was great. And when the extension is finished and it runs all the way to the Richard Jefferies museum it will be even more wicked! As the nearly-two-year-old I was with said “Choo choo’:
Harold Starr – one of The Few
Harold Starr was born on September 8,1914. He was the fifth of six children born to Ellen and Morley Starr. He grew up in the Central Temperance Hotel in Regent Street (now the site of the Savoy – there are blue plaques there commemorating the Starr Brothers) where his mother was proprietor and his father worked as as shop fitter.
Swindon Remembers Harold Starr
Swindon remembers Harold Starr.
Born: 8th September 1914. Died: 31st August 1940. Killed by enemy fire after bailing out of his stricken aircraft only a few days before his 26th birthday: one of The Few.
Richard Jefferies Old Town Walk Part 2
Gosh. I can’t believe it’s been so long. But you all know how it is listeners. Life, business, etc – it all gets in the way sometimes. Gah! Anyway here we are the Richard Jefferies Old Town walk part 2.
Back in March – blimey – I published part one of two planned posts about the Richard Jefferies Old Town walk.
The Wish Hounds Sculpture
THE tradition of the Midnight Hunter and his headless hounds–always, in Cornwall, associated with Tregeagle–prevails everywhere. Whether the slice of mythology and folklore below is the inspiration for Swindon’s fantastical Wish Hounds sculpture I’ve no idea. But they’ve always intrigued me.
Richard Jefferies Old Town walk: Part 1
23rd March 2015 Richard Jefferies Old Town walk Part 1 Oh listeners, I do love a bit of urban discovery. As is evidenced with my travelogue on the West Swindon sculpture trail. And the subject of this post turned out to offer some nuggets of urban discovery.When I say...
Swindon Dance Steps Out
Swindon Dance Steps Out
There are lots and lots of reasons why we can be proud of Swindon – many of which I’ve posted about on this blog as regular listeners will know. For a start there’s al the public art about which I’ve banged on ad nauseum. Plus the host of parks and green spaces and the bewildering range of artistic talent that Swindon hosts. And much, much more.
The Hooter Express
I absolutely LOVE a miniature train – of any description – they evoke something so visceral. Whether they’re the ones you sit astride or the ones you sit inside. In fact – extending the genre – wherever there’s a miniature train, a funicular, a monorail or even a cable car – I have to go on it.
Swindon 105.5 Community Radio
Shortly before Christmas 2014 I paid a visit to the studios of Swindon 105.5 community radio for a couple of reasons. One was to talk to Shirley Ludford, the station manager, about the money-raising initiative the station was running in December whereby local businesses could, for a very small fee, have a song of their choice played and talk about their business.
Lawn Park
So what is Lawn? Lawn Park is a 50 acre park that was once the house and estate of the Goddard family – the Lords of the Manor of Old Swindon. Their house is now long gone and the estate is now a public park though their name lives on in the nearby pub and hotel, The Goddards Arms. According to Swindon Web the 18th century house stood on the site of a Tudor Mansion. The Goddard family were Lords of the Manor from 1563 until 1927.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
