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Swindon Town Centre view when new and more than 40 years later

By Roger Ogle - 25 February 2019

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Two photos of the former Bon Marche department store building, topped by the Hambro Life offices. The black and white image taken in 1968 is by the late Swindon photographer Denis Bird, one of the founders of the Swindon Society. The colour picture of the building now occupied by Debenhams was taken from a similar position on 25 February 2019. The office block above - Falcon House - has been empty for many years though there are plans to refurbish it into flats. (Denis Bird permitted me to copy his photograph a few years before he died).

Ocelot ad
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Christ the Crown of Thorns was painted over the new South porch door after it was added to St Mary's in 1520. It was lost in 1547 after the edict by Protestant King Edward IV calling for religious idolatry to be destroyed was followed. Queen Elizabeth I would not have seen it when she used the door on her visit to Lydiard Park in September 1592. According to internationally acclaimed conservator Jane Rutherfoord, this representation of Jesus Christ is unique in Europe, showing him without a beard and with blond hair. The modern, metrosexual look is similar in style to how Jesus was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Long lost secrets rediscovered at St. Mary’s Church in Lydiard Park can now be seen

Main picture: St Mary's monument dedicated ...

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1999 April: Prince of Wales speaks at Making Heritage Conference in Swindon

1999 April: Prince of Wales speaks at Making Heritage Conference in Swindon

Restored Great Western Railway Works hosts ...

Halo Windows - leave till Feb 20
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2006: Two future Prime Ministers visit Swindon

2006: Two future Prime Ministers visit Swindon

David Cameron (2010-2016) was accompanied by ...

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2010 January: Children at Haydon Wick Primary School holding moon rock

Swindon primary schools investigate moon rocks collected by lunar landings

Rare samples of moon rock have ...

Bower and Bailey
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2009 May: Best ever BBC Big Weekend takes place in Swindon

2009 May: Best ever BBC Big Weekend takes place in Swindon

40,000 music lovers flood Lydiard Park ...

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