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Get ready to celebrate a landmark in the town’s history

In 2016 it will be 175 years since work started on building what
was to become a huge railway repair works on flat, green fields
below the hamlet on the hill of less than five hundred houses -
essentially the beginning of modern Swindon.
Celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary in 1985 were
cancelled because of lack of support and outright opposition
following the decision to close the works after a long campaign
to keep it open.
So next year is an opportune time to bring Swindon together
to celebrate its illustrious and industrious past and to look to the
future, to throw off the negative viewpoints and cynicism that
exists amongst some and to project a new attitude towards the A graphic story
town that is now home to some 220,000 people. across 175 years
Ian Surtees at Steam Museum is coordinating a range of
projects and wants to hear from more schools and community Although the start on building the rail-
organisations who want to be involved as Swindon 175 partners. way repair sheds commenced in 1841, tall above the railway works buildings,
He said: “175 years is more than just about history and heritage. the town is well known for building a its loud blasts heard for miles around,
We’d like to hear of ideas and initiatives that will get the people great deal more since then. acting as the audio clock for all who
of our town involved to ask the question: why are you here? Swindon based graphic designer worked ‘inside’ and the town as a whole.
“We have agreement in principle with the National Railway Paul Gentleman has come up with The town’s contribution to the Allied
Museum in York that two famous products of Swindon railway a logo that incorporates 6 historical effort in World War II is shown by a Spit-
works will return to the town. King George V and City of Truro cues which remind us that the town is fire, many of which were built here, while
are iconic locomotives. Exhibitions and special events are being famous for the GWR and more. Hurricane parts were made in the works.
planned at Steam and Lydiard House. On the left is railway engineer Sir Look for the Garrard turntable which
“But we need lots of smaller events which are relevant to Daniel Gooch, who made the recommen- made Britain rock in the 60s.
residents, in schools and neighbourhoods. dation to IK Brunel and the GWR board Since the 1970s Swindon has been
“A big launch is being planned for November when we will in September 1840 that Swindon should shaping the Mini at the Pressed Steel
publish a programme of activities. It would be good to have be the site for railway workshops. Fisher Plant in Stratton which opened in
conversations with local organisations by then, but we will be Then there’s City of Truro – the first 1954. The iconic car represents how the
able to add new items throughout 2016 at a dedicated website steam locomotive to travel at 100 mph, town has become a major manufacturer
that is being developed. epitomising the skill and innovation of of automobiles and the inclusion of the
If you have an idea about how 2016 should be marked, email: the designers and workers of Swindon. car drives the logo into 2016 and into
[email protected] Above the N is the hooter which stood the future.

swindonlink.com n September 2015 25