So yesterday we had a Save the Oasis rally in front of the Oasis itself. In this post I want to share the Oasis reflections from the 1970s that I spoke of at the rally. But first, some comments about stuff said on Twitter by a certain Conservative councillor and Cabinet member. And I’m saying this as me, a Swindonian, looking at things from the outside in.
Stratton Peace Memorial Swindon
The Stratton Peace Memorial Swindon
So yesterday, together with two friends and two dogs, I strolled round Stratton following a Stratton history trail. One of the things this trail takes in, is the Stratton Peace memorial, the main focus of this post. But I’ll come back to that in a bit. First a bit of info about the Stratton treasure/history trail.
Swindon GWR Park Consultation
May 2021Swindon GWR Park Consultation Our survey says The GWR Park, in the GWR railway village, is a fabulous green space. It's one that's been much-loved and much-used by Swindon residents for over 170 years. Here it was, that the famous cricket hero, DR WG Grace,...
Desmond Morris artist and anthropologist
Dr Desmond Morris artist and anthropologist is a zoologist, ethologist & popular author on the topic of socio-biology & a son of Swindon!
Canadian Spitfire Pilot Memorial Swindon
Canadian Airman Memorial Swindon
On a corner of Ermin Street in the Stratton area of Swindon there sits this bench. What follows explains why it’s there.
St Laurence’ Church Bradford upon Avon
Bradford on Avon is a market town in West Wiltshire, situated upon one of the many rivers in Britain called the Avon. Avon comes from afon – Welsh for river.
Saving the Oasis – the story so far
Saving the Oasis – the story so far
The Save the Oasis campaign has picked up many followers of late and gathered more traction on social media. So, I figured I’d post an update on who they are and the story so far.
Why do the council hate the Oasis?
Why do the council hate the Oasis? DO the council hate the Oasis?
I confess I’d not considered these questions at all until more than one person gave voice to them on Twitter. And the more I ponder, the more I’m forced to confront the prospect that perhaps they do. Let’s look at the evidence for the prosecution.
Swindon’s Oasis – the Last of Its Kind
This week a practising architect with links to the original 1970s Oasis architects, contacted Save Oasis Swindon via social media. Robert Guy, of Bristol-based Arturus Architects, has thrown his full support behind the ongoing listing application with Historic England. He has personally written to them, urging for the Oasis to received listed status.
Council Meeting Accepts Oasis Motion
At last night’s Full Council meeting, Labour put forward a motion. The motion requested that the Council leader, Cllr David Renard, work with the iconic leisure centre’s current owners to produce a report detailing a full building and works survey.
Oasis Campaign Seeks Sustainable Solutions
Save Oasis Campaign Seeks Sustainable Solutions
Not letting themselves become clouded by sentimentality, the Save the Oasis campaign group have set themselves the task of seeking sustainable solutions. Of course they want the dome preserving – but they have full understanding that to keep it, it must function better than it ever has.
Iconic Swindon Structures and Buildings
Iconic Swindon Structures
Controversy ranges in Swindon as I bash out this blog, around the Oasis Pleasure Dome. A term bandied about around this leisure centre is ‘iconic’. Thus I thought I’d have a look at the term – what it means – and what it means to Swindon.













