Page 31 - link magazine

A Swindon Welcome Awaits...

The old Mechanics is now being found a new social life. To their
offered for sale, and a Preservation
credit, the Borough Council
Trust established by Swindon developed social facilities within
people is trying to buy the building the new expansion areas. Flow-
and revive its "All Together ever, little was done to tell the
Now" spirit in the interest of Swin- inspiring story of Swindon to those
don's future. later arrivals, and to make them
feel part of the Town as a whole,
One of the reasons for the Mechan- a Town with a past to share.
ics dereliction was the decline in the
size of the railway workforce after In the midst of a hectic modern
World War It. In that same period, 'city' is there again a place for the
however, the Town was expanding
community feeling and the sense of
with new residents and new indus-
local identity fondly cherished by
tries. Repeated expansions East, older "Swindonians"? A place for
West and North have doubled the all, this time?
population, then doubled it again.
The 2000 supporters of the Preser-
"if only" it had been possible for
vation Trust hope there is. And
newcomers to have joined the Me-
the proposals they are offering for
chanics, it might not have run down. imaginative re-use of this massive
After all, this was where railway building, located at the physical
newcomers in the past had always centre - again a crossroads as
before - hopefully will appeal to
everyone.

Over the coming months, a shop in
the Brunel Centre (above M&S)
will display suggested plans,
describe fund-raising efforts, and
collect further ideas. Be sure to
look in and see what the future
may hold for our 21St century
town/city/home!
r
Play It Again, Swindon! I want to support the New Mechanics'
Institution Preservation Trust Limited
(Registered Charity No. 104896 1)
..-.,.-......... --.- ..
di. NAME
-=----
Drcssii g Rooms ADDRESS
POSTCODE
SIGNATURE
I
I Enclose:
£1 for Membership Only (98-99)
£5 for Membership and Newsletter Subs.
LI A Donation of £
I would be willing to help as a Volunteer/
Restored Theatre
I Fundraiser
Make cheques payable to:
THE NEW MECHANICS' INSTITUTION
PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED
SUITE 17
NEWBURN CENTRE
NEWBURN CRESCENT
SWINDON SN) 5ES
TEL/FAX/AN 5:
(01793) 520592
L i