Page 31 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

The surprising history of Kingsdown Independent
Councillors
in Swindon
....is it now
time?
If you feel party politics has no place
in Swindon Council: if you know
people who might agree
in Covingham, Nythe, Coleview,
Dorcan or North Liden
please ask them to consider voting
Tony Hillier, Independent
Kingsdown House in the 1940s - photo courtesy of The Swindon Society on 5 May
New Initiatives need novel tactics
Although it’s not a place you would considering the house was only 07762 649390
normally expect to host a birthday demolished just before the facebook.com/swindonindependent
party, we were all invited to one crematorium was built in 1966.” Promoted by K Fisher, Castlereagh, Old Shaw Lane, SN5 5PJ
for T Hillier, 79 Stubsmead, SN3 3TB
at Kingsdown Crematorium on The team enlisted the help of Clive
Saturday, 23 April. Carter of Wiltshire Buildings Record,
It was an open day to mark the who wrote a series of farm histories
50th anniversary of the opening of for the magazine, and his specialist Strandz
the crematorium, and included tours knowledge of farming turned out to
of its inner workings and a service. be especially useful on this project. Unit 72 Pembroke Centre
There was also a talk by Graham Graham added: “In recent Cheney Manor, Swindon SN2 2PQ
Carter, editor of Swindon Heritage centuries, the story of Kingsdown
magazine, about the history of the House was really the story of By Sue Sheralee,
site. Kingsdown Farm but there are Emi and
“I suppose you could say it is dead international connections too. ◆ Your local family hairdresser Julie
interesting,” said Graham. “And “We also found that what ◆ 25% discount for Seniors
because not much has previously became a quiet country estate Call now for an appointment Tel: 01793 616668
been published about the site’s past, and is now a place we associate Open Tuesday to Saturday
there are a few surprises.” with tranquility has been a hive of on 01793 871120 Late nights • Free parking
The crematorium buildings activity over thousands of years. or 07967 363322
stand precisely on the site of the The crematorium is half a century Cash or cheque only
Strandz
former Kingsdown House, while old, but the story of its location HOME VISITS AVAILABLE
the grounds, including the recently really begins way back when Britain
opened cemetery, were once the was still attached to the European
house’s estate. mainland, which you can find out
With the crematorium’s about in the next Swindon Heritage
anniversary imminent, Swindon edition.
Heritage were approached because “It just goes to show that even
staff wanted to find out more about when it looks like there may not
what was there previously, and the be much to find, there is always
history was sketchy. treasure, just waiting to be
“Surprisingly little has been discovered.”
published about the site and the As well as the talk, the story of
people who lived there,” said Kingsdown House will also feature
Graham. in the summer edition of Swindon
“There is an even more surprising Heritage, to be published at the end
lack of photos, especially of May.
Events in aid of Prospect Hospice

l On Friday 6 May a tribute and Strandz is raising money in the
comedy night will take place at salon for the Prospect Starlight
Legend’s Lounge at Swindon Town Walk, on 25 June. For each service
Football Club from 7pm to 1am in she does she will put £5 of her
aid of Prospect Hospice. takings into the charity.
There will be comedy from Arnold She said: “It’s an important
Gutbucket, and all the best of charity as my dad was cared for
Frankie Valli from Stars in Their there during the last month of his
Eyes 2015 winner, Peter Sarsfield. life.”
Tickets cost £12.50 from 07796 Her aim is to raise £300. For an
137770. appointment call 01793 616668.
l A concert will be held at Purton Professional Consultations, Non Surgical Treatments, Cosmeceutical Skin Care
Village Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday RGN, BSc Hons Independent Nurse Prescriber
7 May with Chedworth Silver Band 01793 727352 07425 176084
and The Purton Peartree Pealers. www.dermafillersswindon.co.uk
Tickets cost £6 and include a glass
of wine. Call 01793 771572 or buy Mobile Hairdresser [email protected]
a ticket on the door. Mobile: 07970 079681
l Emi Mazzotta of hairdressers Home: 01793 323400 Aegle Radiance Splendor Ltd
swindonlink.com n May 2016 31