‘We had a fantastic response to our survey about GWR Park – over 400 people told us why the park is important and what needs to change. A draft conservation management plan has now been prepared by landscape architects Cookson and Tickner. That plan that takes on board these views and sets out the park’s future management.
As if all the bru ha ha surrounding the Oasis leisure centre were not enough and in a week when SBC announce their intention of launching a city status bid, they also announce closure of the museum and art gallery in Swindon’s Old Town.
Quite how one might a city in possession of an art collection of national importance yet nowhere to see it is a mystery to me. But then so much of what SBC does is a mystery to me. This is the unfunniest of jokes.
This week, the SOS campaign saw an important development.
Right out of the blue Damien Siviter, part of SevenCapital’s executive team contacted the campaign, requesting a meeting. Thus, on Wednesday of this week, two campaign representatives, Tony Hillier and Neil Robinson headed to the Park Lane, London offices of the development company.
Swindon artist and Old Town resident, David Bent is exhibiting at Tetbury Good’s Shed.
David’s Out of This World exhibition runs from 30th June to 29th August 2021. Opening times are 11-4pm Wednesdays through Sundays.
Swindon possesses an important slice of social history. One that shows how health and leisure provision have changed throughout the years. And how important that is to people’s welfare. Both physical and mental. It began with the GWR Medical Fund Society and comes right up to date and feeds into the current Oasis saga.
From one of the campaign team, Helena Williams Bowie, on the topic of the Oasis and inclusivity.
Back in 1972 when Swindon’s elders conceived the Oasis, the town had a population around half of what it is today. They knew back then the town’s population could and would have a rapid increase. And indeed, the expansion of Swindon continues almost 50 years on. Back then the administration in charge had a bold vision. Now we’re lacking facilities with double the population.
Poetry at the Oasis
So yesterday’s rally organised by the Save Oasis Swindon campaign, produced two perfectly poetic outpourings.
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.
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.
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,...
Dr Desmond Morris artist and anthropologist is a zoologist, ethologist & popular author on the topic of socio-biology & a son of 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.
