Page 14 - link magazine

The time has come for Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institution

Thirty years after it closed, and after 20 years of local community persistence, the saga of Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institution could
finally be approaching its happy ending. What better way to celebrate 175 years of ‘New Swindon’ and its people’s magnificent
achievements? Mechanics’ Institution Trust Chair Daniel Rose reports

We believe the Mechanics’ Institution offers the
most important and timely opportunity in Swindon
– an opportunity for local people to come together
and be empowered, within the legacy of this central
premises.
With the help of our members we have developed
a mixed-use, self-financing proposal, which would
not only provide benefit to local people and visitors,
but is wholly in-keeping with the history and
heritage of the building.
Our plans are focused on creating a community-
owned and managed cultural flagship for the whole town - bringing arts, Mechanics’ Institution Trust chairman Daniel Rose
culture and community together under one roof, again.
A very brief history of the Mechanics’ Institution

In 1843, the New Swindon reading rooms, a theatre, and an
Mechanics’ Institution was formed impressive library which predated
and constituted ‘for the benefit and the first public lending library in
enlightenment of those employed Manchester by 9 years.
by the GWR’. Contrary to popular This much-loved community
mythology, the institution was space served for over a century,
not set up by Brunel, nor was it but with the closure of the Railway
So what is the situation right now with the Mechanics’? paternal benevolence of the Great Works by British Rail in 1986 it
After many years of campaigning government body that administers Western Railway. finally shut its doors.
by the Trust, Swindon Council ownerless property) where it rests The workers themselves set up The building fell into private
finally issued an Urgent Works today. Swindon Council still has and governed the Institution, hands and a series of developers all
Notice on the third owner in a charge registered on the site of with GWR very much in support. failed to put forward realistic plans
December 2010. The owner did not approximately £400,000 as a result The successful institution, as a for its restoration, and neglected its
comply with this notice and as per of the Urgent Works it undertook. building and as an organisaion, is a maintenance outrageously.
the legal framework the council Since then the Trust has been monument to mutual improvement The Mechanics’ Institution
undertook the works itself to make working with the council and and cooperation. Trust was formed in 1995 and
the building safe, secure, weather its regeneration arm, Forward By 1855 the institution had built campaigned for the building to
tight, and to slow the deterioration Swindon, on proposals for the a permanent home at the heart return to community ownership
of the building. These works cost in future, and a Mechanics’ Advisory of the Railway Village and in the and use, urging Swindon Borough
excess of £800,000. Board was set up which includes years that followed it continually Council to take seriously its
The council took the owner to the Trust. The advisory board has expanded and became the focal statutory duties towards Listed
the High Court in January 2012 funded an options appraisal for point of Swindon life containing buildings.
to recover the costs; however the site and this work is nearing 2016 coming soon and beyond…
Forefront Estates failed to completion.
attend and the company was This piece of work has assessed • The Trust will be undertaking a its bid to manage the Railway
later dissolved by the regulator, the current condition of the timely update of our proposals for Cottage Museum. It is due to be
Companies House. building, and examined a range of usage and business plan; this will transferred to the Trust early in
With the building then ownerless, options for its re-use and estimated include surveying Swindon people 2016, and we hope to open it
it passed to the Crown Estate (the the likely costs involved. again, for their up-to-date input. regularly, for the first time in 15
• Summer 2016 will be the 150th years;
Myths of the Mechanics’ anniversary of the traditional • 2016 should see the opening of a
Mechanics’ Institution Children’s
new community café in the Bakers
Fete, to be held in the GWR Park. Arms Pub. People’s Health Lottery
Myth: The building is about to fall they did turn down the chance to The Trust has raised £10,000 Funding is supporting this as well
down buy it for £1 from British Rail in already but is looking for further as the Central Community Centre’s
Answer: Although in a bad state of 1986. support, for some really spectacular community development work.
repair, it has recently been found Myth: It will cost too much and entertainment.
to be structurally sound. It was the council can’t afford it Business and individual volunteers’ Further information about the
solidly (well) built by a skilled GWR Answer: The capital cost of help would be very welcome. Trust’s work can be found at:
workforce. restoring the Mechanics’ is high • In December 2014 the Trust won www.mechanics-trust.org.uk
Myth: It’s just another old listed (upwards of £15 million), however
building – nothing special the Trust has never suggested About the Mechanics’ Institution Trust
Answer: 92% of listed buildings the council should pay. Heritage The Trust is a charity, formed by Swindon; its history, heritage and
are Grade 2 but the Mechanics’ Lottery would be the most local people in 1995, and is a culture; its future opportunity and
is Grade 2*, alongside just 6% of suitable funder, and their budget
listed buildings. It is nationally, has actually increased in recent registered Building Preservation most importantly its people.
We want to recapture the
even internationally, important. years. The annual cost of running Trust. pioneering spirit and character
We believe that heritage can
Myth: “The council sold it for £1” the building is also key, and the create unique, enjoyable places for that created “New Swindon”, to
Answer: The council have never Trust is focused on updating that people. inspire our town today, for its
owned the Mechanics’ although challenge currently.
We believe passionately in 175th anniversary!
14 swindonlink.com n January 2016