Jim Hurst Blue Plaque. Well this is fab – a blue plaque in our GWR Railway village, celebrating a son of Swindon, unveiled by our current transport minister, and South Swindon MP, Heidi Alexander.
Jim Hurst Blue Plaque
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Don Rogers Footballing Legend
Don Rogers Footballing Legend. So – here we have a guest post from my chum Chris Eley. It begs the question, was Don Rogers Swindon Town’s greatest player?
Donald Edward Rogers entered the world on 25th October 1945 in Paulton, Somerset. He Joined Swindon Town in January 1961 aged 15. He turned professional in October 1962 and made his debut in November 1962. In his first spell at the club he played 400 games and scored 147 goals. During that time he helped Town win promotion from the Third to the Second Division twice and win the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1970. He also scored two goals when the then Third Division Swindon beat the mighty Arsenal 3-1 at Wembley to win the League Cup in 1969.
Harold Dearden Unsung Swindon Son
Should you ever feel the urge to do a Google search on ‘famous people from Swindon’, Wikipedia helpfully presents you with an eclectic list that’s a good fifty names long. Some of them are household names, Diana Dors for instance. Also, XTC, Gilbert O’Sullivan and Billie Piper to name but a few. Pleasingly the list includes some not-quite-household-names-that-should-be. I’m thinking here of the Hammerman  poet – Alfred Williams, the jazz drummer Colin Bailey and writer Ralph Bates. And, speaking of him, why the town doesn’t celebrate a man dubbed El Fantastico by the Spanish is beyond me!
Diana Dors Swindon Siren
Diana Dors Swindon Siren.
Having written about Desmond Morris way back and featured the sculpture of Diana Dors in my series about the West Swindon sculpture walk, I figured I ought to be small piece with a bit of focus on Swindon’s very own screens siren.
Sheryll K Fox Swindon Artist
Sheryll K Fox Swindon Artist moved to the town twenty-five years ago. She was attracted to the town as it’s surrounded by beautiful Wiltshire countryside, yet has the convenience of town amenities. Although Sheryll’s known locally for her figurative art, she often sketches and paints ‘en plein air’ during the summer.
Wiltshire Artist First Solo Exhibition
Wiltshire artist Caroline Day, well known for her floral artwork, is opening her first solo exhibition at the new View Gallery in Royal Wootton Bassett this weekend (Saturday March 2).
Swindon’s Secret Code Breaker
Swindon’s Secret Code Breaker – a new one one on me. So thanks to Matthew Pearce for sending me this article about Swindonian Mary Ratcliffe who worked with the famous code breaker, Alan Turing.
Dave Gregory Guitar Supremo
Dave Gregory Guitar Supremo – Health warning: this blog does not go into huge detail on Dave’s involvement with XTC.
Professor Ron Johnston Geographer
The offspring of Louis and Joyce Johnston, Ron entered the world on 30th March 1941. He grew up Chiseldon where his parents ran the post office. And no doubt that start in life helped him put his stamp on the world. Boom! (It doesn’t get any better I’m afraid!
Colin Bailey Swindon Jazz Drummer
Colin Bailey Swindon Jazz Drummer who worked with the greats! A welcome addition to the blog’s sons and daughters of Swindon series.
Swindon Footballer Ernie Hunt
Well – here we are with another of Swindon’s offspring and an entry in to the much under-loved This Sporting Life category to boot. A football boot at that. Listeners I give you, Swindon Footballer Ernie Hunt!
William Stanier Railway Man
Gosh! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do a new Swindon sons and daughters post. But thanks to a bit of help from Chris Eley, here’s William Stanier – Swindon born and lifelong railway man.
Swindon in 50 more buildings
West Swindon – What the eye doesn’t see
Swindon – A Born Again Swindonian’s Guide
We Are Swindon
