Page 22 - link magazine

Swindon Heritage putting the spotlight on North Swindon farms
The old farms of North Swindon is one of the subjects to come under the microscope in the Winter 2013 edition of Swindon Heritage.
The quarterly magazine’s history. Nicola, who has writ-
three founders celebrated the ten 35 historical romances and
launch of their fourth edition is published in 26 countries,
on 23 November as well as the has a soft spot for Swindon.
end of a hugely successful first “She is a frequent visitor
year of publication. to Swindon and told us why
Now Graham Carter, Great she likes our town so much,”
War historian Mark Sutton said Fran.
and Fran Bevan are looking Clive Carter, chair of the
forward to a busy 2014, which Wiltshire Buildings Record
they hope will include a com- and its Farmstead Project,
memorative edition to mark continues his series of articles
the centenary of the Great War. about Swindon’s former farms.
“It’s been an amazing first The latest looks at the many
year for us and a huge learning farms which once occupied
curve,” said editor Graham. “But the area south and east of
we couldn’t have done it with- Thamesdown Drive.
out the support of local writers Graham said: “It’s a fascinat-
and historians, especially the ing story for anybody who
members of the Swindon lives in that part of town be-
& District History Network From the March 2002 Link, Doug and Caryl Clifford pictured at Haydon Farm on Haydon End cause there was once a huge
and Swindon Council’s ever- Lane. Doug’s father John William drove 39 head of cattle from Purton to take up occupation in concentration of small farms
enthusiastic library staff. 1918. The nearby site of special scientific interest where the rare green winged orchid is found in an area now almost com-
“Our list of subscribers is is named Clifford Field because of the traditional farming practices that conserved the plants. In pletely given over to housing.”
growing too. This is important 2006 the flower was chosen as the logo for Orchid Vale Primary School close to the farm. Read Swindon Heritage is avail-
more from The Link archive: www.bit.ly/Haydonfarm-cliffords
to us as a not-for-profit social able from Pen & Paper at 113
enterprise with no outside funding as popular Regent Street department II* Listed status, and its connection Victoria Road, STEAM and Swindon
it enables us to plan ahead.” store that closed in 1998 after 123 with another former local landmark. Central Library.
The 84-page winter edition of the years of trading. International bestselling romantic See a list of other stockists and how
magazine is packed with articles on Also included is a detailed look at novelist Nicola Cornick invited the to buy the magazine or take out a
Swindon’s fascinating history and the Spectrum building in West Swin- Swindon Heritage team round for subscription at: www.swindonherit-
opens with the story of McIlroys, the don, which was recently given Grade coffee and a chat about writing and age.com/wheretobuy

22 swindonlink.com • December 2013

19 - 48 December 13.indd 22 14/11/2013 12:07