Page 25 - link magazine

Swindon Wide 25

First local history festival brings
together groups from across the town
The national lottery fund-
ed Local History Fair at
Steam Museum, based
around a celebration of
GWR poet Alfred Wil-
liams in mid-November,
brought dozens of groups
together and hundreds of
visitors to learn about a
wide range of historical
subjects - from the history
of Highworth, Wroughton
and Rodbourne, to the
campaign to save the der-
elict Mechanics’ Institute.
Organiser Graham
Carter said the two day
event had been a tre-
mendous success and revealed The Mayor and Mayoress at the
the wealth of interest in Swindon’s New Mechanics’ Institution stand
heritage. with photographer Roy Nash, trust
• Alfred William’s books return to his chairman Daniel Rose and secre-
home. See www.swindonlink.com tary Jennifer Lock

New hall helps Steam turn
financial corner to relieve taxpayer
An ambitious refurbishment project backed by Swindon Borough Council is
proving to be a real success, as corporate hospitality bookings at Steam,
Museum of the Great Western Railway - which opened in 2000 - reach
their highest levels ever.
Originally the old ‘20 Shop’ of
Swindon Works and part of the
Grade II listed building, the Great
Western Hall is now completely
refurbished and contributing to re-
ducing museum running costs.
Swindon councillor Nick Martin,
who was charged with sorting out
the museum’s drain on council tax
payers, said, “six years ago Steam
was costing the taxpayer about
£850,000 a year. The council
funded a £300,000 spend-to-save
scheme to fully equip the confer-
ence suite and eliminate the need and the wonderful setting that
to rent overheads. We now have a Steam provides is all very positive.”
state of the art facility which has More widely the museum’s visi-
already paid back over 40 per cent tor numbers have increased by 25
of the spend-to-save investment, per cent over the last three years,
and this year the total subsidy has with a busy programme of family-
been reduced to £500,000.” friendly events and educational
Alan Greer, general manager opportunities for school groups.
at Steam added, “we are thrilled Attendance at the Lego show in
with the redevelopment of the hall. September was more than double
It has an increased capacity for that of 2007.
750 guests, and combined with Alan Greer said, “Steam has
high specification audio, visual certainly had its challenges over
and lighting equipment, it is per- the years but, thanks to the vision
fect for high profile events - from of Swindon councillors and the
weddings, exhibitions and hobby enthusiasm, knowledge and dedi-
shows to AGMs and other large cation of museum staff and volun-
corporate gatherings. teers, the museum has become a
“We have had bookings from firmly established premier visitor
blue-chip companies and national attraction in the South West.”
organisations, as well as many To hire the Great Western Hall
large council conferences which call Ian Surtees on 466637 or
previously were held in commer- mail: [email protected]
cial venues in the town. www.swindon.gov.uk/steam
“The feedback about our event • Two new locomotives have arrived
management, customer service at Steam. See www.swindonlink.com

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