Page 7 - link magazine

A town of ongoing visions stretching back in time

Swindon Council’s latest vision for business opportuni- industry was short infrastructure, whilst major debates
the town’s future is nothing new. ties presented by all sighted and secured about status have been underpinned
In fact it has been the subject of the migrants needed government support by a disconnect between elected
visions for 180 years, when on 15 to build the infra- for Swindon’s diver- representatives and citizens of the
September 1835 Isambard Kingdom structure. sification after World town.
Brunel submitted his planned route In 2016 Swindon War II. Since then The aspirations to achieve city sta-
and innovative design for the Great will celebrate 175 expansion has taken tus in 1999 and 2003 were greeted
Western Railway to connect Bristol years since the start A vision that didn’t work place in every direc- by a cynicism amongst the populus
to London. of the railway works tion and the population who wanted to be more involved
Some living in the market town in New Town, a decision by GWR has grown to more than 200,000. in a process that seemed to ignore
on the hill overlooking the route managers which has continued to The tension between those already their concerns and viewpoints.
won’t have been impressed that ring down the ages. here and plans for those who would The latest vision or pledges will
green fields were to be despoiled David Murray John, town clerk arrive has always been argued over. only work if the citizens of the town
by the industrial revolution coming from 1937 to 1974 was a visionary Recently the town’s growth has are fully engaged in the process of
towards them. Others will have seen who recognised reliance on a single not been matched by adequate building the Swindon of the future.

Surprising Swindon for sale

Swindon Civic Voice has published heritage buildings. It also offers an Swindon Civic Voice Autumn talks railway village who designed and
an updated version of its highly opportunity to explore the Railway Thursday 8 October, 7pm: Annual painted a large and accurate aerial
regarded ‘Surprising Swindon’ guide, Village, with a close-up layout. General Meeting, followed by a perspective of Swindon railway
a treasure trove of information for The original uses of many premises talk by John Chandler, author of works and the village as they were
residents as well as visitors to the are detailed, and mention is made Swindon Decoded which was in 1848.
town. of the initiatives by railwaymen published in 1995. His talk will Both events take place in Central
It focuses on the area of the town to establish the facilities which a focus on Central Community Centre Community Centre in Emlyn Square.
centre at the base of Swindon hill, densely-packed new town needed: and the first 100 years of ‘New Entry is £2 for members of Swindon
which grew from the first cottages healthcare, recreation and educa- Swindon’ from 1840 to 1939. Civic Voice, £4 for non-members.
built by GWR, spreading upwards to tion, and inspiration. The density of Thursday 12 November, 7pm: John Membership is £5 (£2 concs). New
eventually join the ancient but tiny churches and chapels is remarkable. Cattell of Historic England (formerly members may join on the night. For
‘Old Swindon’ in 1900. The new pocket sized guide up- English Heritage) is co-author of details of the AGM and talks, con-
A particular feature of Surprising dates the version published in 2000 Swindon: The Legacy of a Railway tact Martha Parry on 01793 520592
Swindon is the maps compar- as a fold out map. It costs just £1 Town and will talk about Edward or: [email protected]
ing 1888 and 2015, highlighting from Swindon Central Library. Snell, an early resident of the www.swindoncivicvoice.org.uk

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Swindon SN1 2LT
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fuel. • Parking available John Pearce, centre, Tracy & David
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Peter Bromiley ACA @AMSAccountancy
AMS Accountancy Ltd,
Swindon SN5 7XF, 01793-818400
www.ams-accountancy.co.uk

swindonlink.com n October 2015 7