Page 30 - link magazine

A Place for All ... In Swindon's Historic Heart!

Were you born in Swindon? Perhaps If this last story sounds familiar, then Institution, which looms above the
you have local roots reaching back to you may be surprised to learn that yours postage stamp strips of cottages as a
Tudor times, and the Market Town on has been the typical experience of taunting reminder of the past
the hilt? It's much more likely that you coming to Swindon, not only during achievements of Swindon's people.
have fire and steam in your railway veins, the past 20 years of expansion, but
and that grand-parents' tales of hardship, right back to 1843, when the Great Within those walls, workmen based a fine
friendship, and achievement ringing in Western Railway first built its cottage library, established before any local
your ears. estate, following I.K. Brunei's plan. authority in the land had a lending service.
Their market offered fresh produce.
Or did you or your parents move here Back then, newcomers had to trek more 'Penny Readings' and other fund-raisers
for work in the decades since World than a mile to Old Swindon's shops, up regularly supported local and national
War H? Was yours a modern house built muddy hills and through hedgerows. assistance efforts. The 'Civic Playhouse'
on greenflelds, surrounded by hedgerows? How did those people, converging for brought opera as well as music hall to
Was there nowhere to shop nearby? Did work from all corners of the country, delighted audiences. The Medical Fund
you have children, but not know where with their diverse ways and accents, Society slowly expanded to offer a wide-
(or when) they would go to school? Did manage to build a New Swindon? ranging service, proving that universal
you long for your former home, family and health insurance was possible, during the
-
friends, while you built yourself a new life The answer is embedded in the eloquent 100 years before the NHS took over in
for the future here in Swindon? stone walls of the derelict Mechanics' 1948.

Creche Garden
Voluntary
Organisation
Office (I of 4)

11IlIIlIllI1II
11I11
Ill
ill
11tlLIJIIII

Voluntary
Organisation
Office (1 of 4)

Entrance