New campaign group launched to preserve Swindon’s heritage

By Ben Fitzgerald - 3 February 2017

CommunityHeritage

Following the announcement that parts of Swindon’s Health Hydro could be converted into flats and the loss of the Agricultural Museum building at Coate Water due to a fire over the festive period, a new group has been set up via social media for local people concerned about Swindon’s heritage.

Set up by Sally Hawson on Facebook, the Save Swindon’s Heritage group has begun a petition via Change.org to save the Health Hydro on Milton Road from plans by GLL to turn sections of the building into housing, which has already surpassed 650 signatures in January alone.

The group are also actively sharing updates on the progress of works to save artefacts within the Agricultural Museum, which was gutted by fire on 31 December 2016, which Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue service have confirmed was not due to arson.

Dr Mike Pringle of the Richard Jeffries museum, situated close to the site of the fire, said: “It’s tragic and heartbreaking but I’ve been trying to get artefacts out on display at Richard Jefferies from the Agricultural museum for years. We’d happily display any of those items, but now we will have to pick through what remains.

“It’s really important to stress that this is an ideal time for the Council to tick all of the boxes and give those who are passionate about Swindon’s heritage the chance to embrace it and put it on show.”

Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: “We are more than happy to work with Mike and his team at Richard Jefferies to get these items on show, and I want to see these on public display. There is a possibility we could show some at Lydiard, but we need to go through everything and catalogue what is available.”

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