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Swindon Widendon Wide
Swi
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the bigger picture

Swindon’s Mechanics’ could join the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu and Battersea Power Station on a World Heritage watch list.
You can vote for the building to be the UK’s most endangered building in The Victorian Society’s poll
The Mechanics’ Institute Trust has
been approached by New York-
based World Monuments Fund to
apply for recognition in their Watch
List for 2012.
Trust chairman Daniel Rose said
“we submitted our application to be
considered for the Watch short list
earlier this year, after I had a call
out of the blue asking for information
about the contribution of Swindon
Mechanics’ Institution to the town,
and how the trust has been working
to save it.”
The WMF is an advocate for
historic sites and buildings around
the planet, having supported over
600 sites in over 80 countries since Daniel Rose in front of the long derelict Mechanics’ Institute
it first published the Watch List in the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Machu munity of all Mechanics’ Institutions. endangered list this year, raising
1996. According to the organisa- Picchu in Peru, Alexander Palace It is also the only one linked to the the profile of the building’s plight at
tion’s website, over the last 15 years in St Petersburg, Hagia Sophia in very British invention of the railway, a national level.
it has provided over $60 million of Istanbul, Ephesus in Turkey and which opened up whole continents. But it’s relying on Swindon resi-
direct emergency funding, as well London’s Battersea Power Station. “The site’s Grade II* listing puts it dents to speak up for the building
as facilitating a further $150m from “Even if the Mechanics’ is not into the top 6 per cent of endangered on the society’s website.
other sources. selected it will shine a light on Swin- buildings. Representatives from “If we know how highly a com-
Should the Swindon Mechanics’ don and provide recognition that heritage organisations all around munity values a building, then this
Institute be selected for the Watch we have a building of international the world agree what an historically tells us more about its importance
List in October this year, it will join significance,” said Daniel. important asset we have here, and and how it merits inclusion on the
the ranks of other internationally “The Institute here in Swindon how it ought to be restored and list,” said Katie Gunning, Victorian
renowned and iconic sites to have was one of the biggest, longest reused for community benefit.” Society campaign officer.
been helped by the WMF, including running and most active in the com- The trust is also hoping that the Give your support to Swindon’s
Mechanics’ Institute will feature Mechanics’ Institute by casting your
on The Victorian Society’s most vote at www.victoriansociety.org

Modern extension to old canal wins award
The newest part of the Wilts & Berks Canal at Wichelstowe has beaten
stiff, nationwide competition to win two prizes in the 2011 Waterways
Renaissance Awards organised by the Waterways Trust. Wichelstowe
Blunsdon Abbey Park was runner-up in the Strategy and Masterplanning category and was
commended in the Partnership category.
A new cul-de-sac of 7 modern park homes

Join us at our next Open Weekend

10am
2nd & 3rd July to 4pm

July Open Weekends:
2nd & 3rd July
16th & 17th July
30th & 31st July

Come along to
discover the benefits
park home life for the from only £159,950
over 50s can offer. Wiltshire councillor Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, chairman of the Wilts &
Berks Canal Partnership is delighted the project is gaining further na-
A quality residential lifestyle for the over 50s tional recognition. She said, “Restoring over 60 miles of waterway can
only be done with the strength and support of the 22 partners, from the
01793 722100 www.pineview.co.uk voluntary, public and private sectors, who have come together with the
single purpose to provide a recreational and wildlife corridor for future
Blunsdon St Andrew, Swindon SN25 2DU generations.”
Read the full story at swindonlink.com: http://bit.ly/iLb4I6
www.wbct.org.uk

21-52 July 11.indd 26 17/06/2011 09:37