Page 21 - link magazine

Honouring Swindon people of the Great War © andrewappleton.com

Visitors to Swindon Museum & Art New Autumn
Gallery can discover the remarkable Photography Courses
story of Swindon in the Great War this Suitable for all levels
autumn and winter in an exhibition Guild Approved
created by the people of Swindon Expert Tutors
themselves, writes Graham Carter of Based in Cricklade and
Swindon Heritage magazine. established around 20 years
For the fi rst time, the museum has “Let us help you get the
been taken over by a community most from your camera”
group - Swindon in the Great War www.photography-courses.com
- with many of the items on display
coming from the private collection of 07530 290192
local historian Mark Sutton. [email protected]
Members of the group successfully
applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund
for a grant, acquired collections from
local people and organisations such as The Mayor of Swindon Theresa Page with Mark Sutton and Mike Pringle of
Swindon in the Great War, and Sophie Cummings, curator at Swindon Museum
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, & Art Gallery. Photo by Richard Wintle of calyxpix.com
Wroughton’s Science Museum Library
and Swindon’s own collections. They Mike Pringle, who is one of the organ-
then decorated the rooms, curated the isers. “This exhibition gives a glimpse
exhibition, designed and produced into the town a hundred years ago,
the display panels. and demonstrates just how rich our
The exhibition fi lls the two ground history is.
fl oor rooms of the museum and tells “It also shows how that history
a story of the many diff erent aspects can be collated and presented today
of the Great War from a Swindon when local knowledge is not just
perspective, both at home and on harnessed, but trusted and given full
the battlefi elds. control over its own heritage.”
It includes personal diaries, troop The exhibition runs until 31 Janu-
‘comforts’, photographs, trench art, ary. Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Christmas Party Nights from £29.95
badges, memorial plaques, fl ags, items is in Bath Road and is open from Our popular party nights contain all the
picked up from battlefi elds in recent Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to ingredients for a memorable Christmas
times as well as German memorabilia. 3pm, and from 10am during school celebration. Sit down to a delicious three
course meal with coffee and mints. Then dance
Part of the display depicts the world holidays. the night away to the sounds of our DJ.
of the frontline soldier, with a full • See Dogs of War on page 43. Call our sales office for dates available
uniform and kit, a Lee Enfi eld rifl e and
bayonet, a Vickers machine gun, and Post war humour Santa Sunday Lunches
£19.95 per person, £9.95 for children under 12
a Lewis gun converted into a camera years. Children under 4 years eat for free.
for airborne reconnaissance. Thursday 11 September, 7.15pm Younger guests will be delighted to hear
Also on display is a dresser that Brunel Centre Swindon and Boswells that a special visitor will be in the hotel
belonged to South Marston writer cafe presents Heroes, translated and during December. Perfect for all the family, a
Alfred Williams, who served in India adapted by acclaimed playwrite Tom traditional festive carvery in our function room
during the war. Stoppard, from a 2003 French comedy. with a visit from Santa, a gift and a disco
The exhibition pays tribute to Mary It features professional actors who for the children.
Slade who worked tirelessly to organ- tell the story of three World War I
ise aid for soldiers, especially prisoners veterans plotting their escape from
of war. The MBE she was awarded in the boredom and routines of life in
recognition of her eff ort can be seen, a care home.
along with letters received from serv- Tickets £12 from Boswells café, op-
ing men. posite the House of Fraser, includes
“Swindon residents have always wine and supper. Performance out-
been known as ‘can-do’ people,” said side Boswells.
swindonlink.com • September 2014 21

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