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1900-1910

22 January 1900, Queen Victoria signed the charter granting Swindon Municipal Borough status, enacted 9 November. Amalgamated Old and New Swindon, enabled pooling of resources, new joined council, enough money to open a electric power station at the Lower Eastcott Farm (land bought by council), now located in Corporation Street, opened in 1903.

Taking advantage of this, trams were introduced in sept 1904.

1906 Tram disaster, number 11 taking passengers from the Bath and West Show being held in Old Town, brake failure down Victoria Hill, crashed in Regents Circus killing 5. Canals fell out of use with the last recorded vessel being in this year. (Wilts and Berks Canal).

Fitzroy Pleydell Goddard (Goddard family, lawns) High Sheriff of Wiltshire during period.

1910-1920

First cinemas introduced to town along tram routes (ease of electricity hook up).

Swindon Town F.C. reached semi-final FA Cup 2x in 3 years whilst in Southern League. Harold Fleming capped for England 11 times scoring 9. (Played for swin from 1907 to 1924).

1914, canals mostly dried up, taken over by council. Coate Water (canal top up, man-made) turned into a pleasure park. No improvements to canal could be started cus of WWI.

1919 riots over Flagpole war memorial, burned down. Replaced by wooden cenotaph, then in 1920, current stone cenotaph.

First council housing estate in Pinehurst (old Hurst Farm), including electric light and bathrooms. local shopping centre, post office and temp (hut) school. Community centre.

1920-1930

Trams phased out by buses (1929).

Swindon Advertiser -- and -- Wiltshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire Chronicle bought by Swindon press in 1920 became the Evening Advertiser in 1920 (now Swindon Adver and Gazette and Herald).

1924 == 14,369 people employed by railway works. Highest. Later declines because of technological advances.

1930-1940

Kingshill house (bath road) became Swindon's first maternity hosp in 1931. Replacing ad-hoc facilities at Milton Road. Motor traffic increasing, first car park behind town hall.

1934-1935 developments along Marlborough road, new estates, Houses sold by Bradleys from £730, Terraces in Walcot for £450.

Coate Water diving board concrete opened 22 June 1935.

Evacuees arrived in Swindon in 1939.

1940-1950

Troops stationed in churches and school halls throughout town. Faringdon Road Park had trenches dug under trees and air raid shelters added.

GWR hooter used as air raid siren. Air raid alerts started summer 1940, First bomb in August to the rear of Shrivenham Road, No one hurt. October, bombs on York road and Roseberry street first fatalities.

first public library 1943, regent st.

arts centre 1946 regent st

1950-1960

Pressed Steel Fisher came into Swindon in 1950's (rover -bmw).

Penhill built from 1951, Walcot east 1956 then Park N &S.

Medical facilities were over-burdened, needed new hosp. TO be sited at Okus. site would be too remote and public transport would be insufficient (incidentally the very reasons for its closure in 199x and building of the new GWH)

1957, Princess Margaret laid foundation stone of PMH.

1960-1970

PMH opened jan 1960

1960's pop rose steeply, council bought houses round town centre for 'slum clearance' and redevelopment. Replaced by shops. Town centre pedestrianized, gates placed at Bridge St, Fleet St and Regents St, closes fro 10-5 on Saturdays then more.

Prep under way for M4 motorway building.

1969 town mullered Arsenal F.C..

1970-1980

Decimalisation kicked out old mom-n-pop stores and paved way for invasion of chains like tescos etc. M4 opened in 1971 giving town 2 juncs. Centre of town redeveloped, Wyvern built. 1972 PMH finally got a purpose built A&E, used to be in temp huts. Burmah Oil HQ built 1972.

1974, borough of Swindon becomes Thamesdown, Brunel centre built.

1976 Oasis opens

1980-1990

Toothill Freshbrook built, first out of town shopping in W Swindon (Carrefour).

GWR Works closed in 1986, but wound down slowly (until 1987). Wills tobacco factory closed in 1987 (now site of tescos).

Hambro Life established HQ in 1970's, over Railway station and over Debenhams. Name changed to Allied Hambro in 1984 and Allied Dunbar in 1985.

1990-2000

Out of town shopping expansion. 1997 outlet village 2000 steam

Swindon 2

Gazetteer 1

Swindon History to add from and here

SWINDON, two towns, a parish, and a sub-district, in Highworth district, Wilts. The towns are Old S. and New S. Old S. stands on an eminence, near the Wilts and Berks canal, 1 mile SSE of S.-Junction r. station, and 17 NE by E of Chippenham; was known, at Domesday, as Svindune; comm and s extensive views into Berks and Gloucestershire; presents a picturesque appearance, with old house s of red brick and stone; is a seat of petty-sessions and a polling place; and has a head post-office,‡ two banking offices, and two chief inns. New S. stands around S.-Junction r. station, on the Great Western railway, at the forking of the lines toward respectively Chippenham and Gloucester; originated in the removal hither, in 1841, of the entire locomotive department of the railway from Wootton-Bassett; occupies ground which previously was all waste; contains erections of the railway company, constructed at a cost of nearly £500,000, including a great r. station, refreshment-rooms and hotel, a shed 490 feet by 72, an engine-house 290 feet by 140, and extensive workshops; and includes great ranges of neat dwelling-houses, a mechanics' institute, a library and reading room, and a public park. The two towns, for all ordinary business purposes, are practically one. A weekly market is held, and a weekly newspaper published, on Monday; and fairs are held on 21 March, 3 April, 23 May, 25 Sept., and 11 Dec. A spacious corn exchange, with a conventional classic front, was erected in 1866. St. Mark's church, in New S., was built at a cost of £8,000; and is in the decorated English style, with tower and spire 140 feet high. The Independent chapel in Victoria-street was built in 1866, at a cost of £3,000; and is in the Lombardic style, with a tower 60 feet high. There are also a church in Old S., three dissenting chapels, an endowed school with £54 a year, and charities £108. Pop. of New S. in 1861, 4,167. houses, 716.-The parish comprises 3,136 acres; and is ecclesiastically cut into Old S. and New S. Real property, £37,769; of which £14 are in quarries, £1,559 in canals, and £172 in gasworks. Pop. in 1851, 4,876; in 1861, 6,856. houses, 1,204. The Lawn, contiguous to Old S. town, is the seat of the God dards. A Druidical stone is at Brome. The living of Old S. is a vicarage, and that of New S. is a p. curacy, in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristo1. Value of Old S., £302;* of New S., £120.* Patron of Old S., the Lord Chancellor; of New S., the Bishop of G. and B.--The sub-district contains 8 parishes. Acres, 26,608. Pop., 12,224. Houses, 2,346

Gazetteer 2

Swindon History to add from and here

Swindon.-- market town and par. (ry. stations Swindon Town and Swindon Junction), Wilts, 10½ miles N. of Marlborough and 77 miles W. of London by rail - par., 3136 ac., pop. 19,904; town, pop. 22,374; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks, 3 newspapers. Market-day, Monday. The town consists of the two local government districts of Old Swindon (wholly in Swindon par.), pop. 4696; and New Swindon (partly also in Rodborne Cheney and Stratton St Margaret pars.), pop. 17,678; P.O., T.O. Old Swindon, known at Domesday as Svindune, is a picturesque old place, with town hall, corn exchange, and assembly rooms. New Swindon originated in the removal hither, in 1841, of the locomotive department of the Great Western Ry. from Wootton Bassett; it has a public park, and public buildings have recently been erected for the accommodation of the mechanics institute, the libraries, the theatre, &c.

Swindon 3

History from

Ancient

Settlements around the hill (450ft above sea level), hill no signs of fortification. Prehistoric settlements of importance nearby (Avebury etc), no evidence of habitation on the hill itself prior to Bronze Age. Old Portland and Purbeck limestone quarries == Bronze Age burials, implements, pottery and Iron Age artefacts. Pre-Roman farms discovered via archaeological digs around hill. Iron Age farm complex found on lowlands to north in 1970's.

Roman

First small nearby town near to Stratton St Margaret. Military town and trading post. Extensive 2nd Century find at Groundwell Ridge 'a real jewel in the crown of southern England'. Foundations of Roman buildings excavated to N and E of hill, pottery, coins etc.

Saxon

Recall of legions to Rome, enter the Saxons in 5th Century. Artefacts found in Market Sq and nearby. Remains of Anglo-Saxon wood-framed and Plaster huts found. Evidence of farmers and cloth makers. Pottery suggests also inhabited in 6th and 7th century. Left names for places and ultimately origin of towns name as Pig Hill.

Domesday/Mediaeval etc

1086, Suindone/Suindune. Domesday Book. Assessed at 21 3/4 hides and divided between 5 holdings. Largest was 12 hides, held by Odin the Chamberlain (Manor of High Swindon). Ulward, 2 hides, West Swindon. 1500's, High and West Swindon joined into Over and Nether Swindon or West and East Swindon. 1086, five hides, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Earl of Kent, Half bro of King William. Manor of Nethercott, 15th century became Eastcott and Westcott. Eastcott bought by Vilett family in 1700s, Westcott by Goddard's in 18th century. Alvred (alfred) of Marlborough, 1 1/2 hides. Smaller estates at Walcot. Even Swindon and Broome other known manors. High Swindon, de Valance family in 13th century. William de Valence, 1274, mediaeval market, earliest recorded history of Swindon as market town.

Parliament, earliest record, John Ildhelfe and Richard Pernaunt, 1295. Richard Neel, 1304. Thomas and Robert Crekkelade (Cricklade?), 1422. Nevil Maskelyne, 1660. 1334, 248 poll tax payers in town.

1563, Manor of Swindon bought by Thomas Goddard.

Agriculture industry, sheep to south, pigs and cattle to north. Tanners, woolmongers in town itself.

Development

Tracks from Wroughton, Marlborough, Cricklade passed future Market Place (13th Century), logical place for Market Town.

Oldest recorded street in town (1346), Newport Street near Market. Originally Nyweport Street meaning 'New Market'. 14th Century, High Swindon (hilltop settlement) was known as Hegherswyndon. No real development for 500 years. Unchanged until 1900s. Oldest probable building in Swindon currently is in Newport Street with cellars thought to be from the 14th century.

1700s

An Ecclesiastical Count (guess census, estimation of growth from 25 years prev till date) undertaken in 1705. 600 men, women, children. 26 freeholders. 1717, Michaelmas Day, rent due to Lord of Manor, 45 names, 34 Leaseholders (rent due on Michaelmas and Lady Day for leases). 1772, freeholders 41. Source of revenue - agriculture, livestock, quarrying. Goddards main landowners, one record 'Richard York, paying eight pence a year for "his house late a barn"'.

First non-market shops appeared, with 1705 Robert and Margaret Boxwell (High Street) first recorded grocer independant of Market. Lasted at least 50 years, records show at that time they were importing tea and sugar from London.

Manorial records show Swindon from 1700-1900 show many families stayed here. 'Swindon was not a town that its occupants readily moved from or changed'.

Biggest employers in 1701 was quarries. 15 roughmasons or stonecutters recorded. 40 labourers.

Average diet, bread, meat, beer.

Recorded tradesmen/families -- Four bakers, four butchers, five innholders, 1 cooper, 1 mercer, 1 draper, 1 glover, 1 currier, 1 saddler, 3 weavers. 20 servants, 4 tailors, 10 cobblers, 4 blacksmiths, 2 carpenters, 1 chandler, 1 cheese factor, 1 joiner, 2 slaters, 1 wheelwright, 1 ironmonger, 1 glazier, 1 surgeon.

Roads

Four main access roads into Town turned in turnpikes between 1751-1775. 1757, Swindon - Faringon. 1761, Swindon - Marlborough. Toll houses on roads to Stratton, Marlborough, Devizes, Wootton Bassett, Cricklade. Residents of Rodbourne Cheney and Liddiards came via roadways that linked Shaw, Rushey Platt with Kings hill. Amount levied depended on type of cart, width of wheels (narrower == more damage to road), number of horses used.

Roads kept clean by auctioning lots to people who could possibly sell 'road scrapings and parings' (manure etc). 1846, auctioneers Dore & Fidel -- '1, From Swindon to the top of Kingshill. 2, From thence to the canal. 3, From thence to the hand post at Mannington. 4, From thence to the brow of the hill at Whitehill. 5, From thence to the Lodge Gate. 6, From thence to the west corner of Agbourn Coppice. 7, From thence to the Fourth Mile-stone. 8, From thence to the Gate, in the occupation of Ann Rudler. 9, From thence to the stream of water crossing the road by William Watt's. 10, From thence to the Turnpike Gate. 11, From thence to the borough of Wootton Bassett. Swindon Parish Road. 12, From Mr Blackford's Corner to the Wharf Bridge, and 13, The scraping and sweeping of all the streets in the Town of Swindon.' 13 most work, best rewards. Additional terms, sweepings removed every Thurs and Sat . Markets held on Monday (road state by thurs?).

Goddards

Established in Swindon prior to 15th Century, Thomas Goddard of Upham acquired manor in 1562, family were lords of manor up until 20th century. 'profits of the fairs and the weekly market, 60 messuages, 40 cottages, 2 water mills, 100 gardens, 100 orchards, 600 acres of land, 200 acres of meadows, 1000 acres of heath, 30 acres of woods, 120 acres of pasture and one dovecote'.

The estate included the Lawns, and was bounded by the High Street and Christchurch.

Manor house rebuilt c.1770, probable on the site of a mediaeval building. 'Swindon House' until 1850, now known as The Lawn.

Grounds included aboretum, lawns, lakes, ornamental gardens. Last of the male line, Major Fitzory Pleydell Goddard (diplomat) died in 1927. Widow, Eugenia Kathleen, left Swindon in 1931.

House remained empty, occupied by British and American forces in WWII. Damaged, bought by Swindon Corporation in 1947 for 16,000GBP, includes 53 acre land, manor house and Holy Rood Church.

House derelict by 1952 and demolished in. Grounds opened as parkland and remain so.

Current remains, wood, lake, sunken garden, elements of walls, gateposts at entrance to Lawns. Stables now the Planks auction house.

Markets

Economy of Swindon depended on Land, agriculture and livestock markets. William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke (1/2 brother of Henry III) recorded as having held a market in Swindon from 1259. 'Chepyng Swindon' 1289, 'Market Swindon' 1336.

1626, Thomas Goddard, granted a weekly market and two fairs a year. Market declined by 1640, cattle plague hit Highworth in 1652, Swindon boomed again. 1672, John Aubrey 'Here on Munday every weeke a gallant Markett for Cattle, which increased to its new greatnese upon the plague at Highworth.' 1718, 32 weekly markets held throughout Wiltshire.

1814, John Britton passed through, recorded 1,600 people, 263 houses. Weekly corn market, fortnightly cattle market. Regular Horse sales. Mid-1800s, cattle market poorly attended.

New Cattle Market site built in 1873, remained until late 1980s. None now.

1800s

1830 'a town of two principal streets'.

1801, pop 1,198. 1820, 1,580. 1831, 1,742. 1841, 2,495.

Wilts & Berks canal built early 1800-1804. GWR 1840ish

Minor expansion along Bath Road from 1818-1850. (Upper class-ish)

Quarries

Mid-17th century - end of 18th century, Swindons economy built on Purbeck stone quarries.

Stone used from time of Roman occupation, use of Swindon stone in Roman finds. Common knowledge from 1640, worked from 1641.

All new quarry workings sanctioned (and taxed) by Thomas Goddard. Declined during 1775-1800, popped back up again during building of Wilts and Berks canal. 1820, 101 tons exported. 1845, 44 tons. Ceased altogether in late 1950s.

Canals

1975, act of parliament authorising building of Wilts and Berks canal. 'waterway that would link the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington, near Trowbridge with the River Thames at Abingdon..'

Reached Swindon in 1804. 1810, Abingdon. 58 miles of waterway.

70-acre feeder reservoir built at Coate, mile and a half south of town,1822.

1895, canal pretty much unused. Dredged in 1908, ruined soon after, closed under Wilts & Berks Canal Abandonment Act, 1914. Partly filled in.

Route remember in Canal Walk, council currently considering re-creating part.

Coate

70-acre lake, built 1822, formed by diverting River Cole. Remained outside borough until expansion in 1928. 1914, canal abandoned, Coate became Pleasure Park. Wooden diving board replaced with today's 33ft concrete one in 1935.

Christchurch

Now landmark in Swindon, see it for miles. Built on summit of hill in Cricklade St. Foundation stone laid in 1850, replacement for the overused Holy Rood (too small). Consecrated November 1851. Final cost of 8000 GBP (over spend of a grand), 926 seats. Clock and bells transferred from Holy Rood. Goddard family added marble and labaster reredos, a new altar and steps in 1892, alabaster font in 1905 and new pulpit in 1906. 1927 window in memory of fitzroy pleydell goddard. Said that light on top of spire is used as a guide for planes landing at Lyneham.

Hosps

The Swindon and North Wilts Victoria Hospital opened in 1888 on Okus Road, first Swindon general hosp. Up until then there had only been a Pest Hosp on Okus Field (since ???) and the GWR Medical Society hosp in the railway works, the previous hosp at Okus, the hosp for infectious diseases. (Pest House), was demolished and an isolation hosp was built in Gorse hill in 1892 (now Hawthorn Centre). Vic Hosp cost 1960GBP and voluntarily funded. Site given by A.L. Goddard and foundation stone laid by wife. Only had 5male, 5female, 2cots and 2accident beds. Anyone wanting in were "first to be assessed by a committee and then examined by the resident doctor." Kingshill House former doctors residence, maternity in 1931, later a nuthouse.

PMH 1957-1960 build. (74-75)

1800's expansion

1801 pop hilltop town 1,198 - 1891 (last census before joined swindon) 5,543. 1841, new swindon fewer but 33,000+ by 1891.

The Works

Agriculture workers, better money at GWR.

Site covered 320acres in the end.

First building, loco repair shed 1841 (contract labour), machinery 1842.

GWR ran tours of works on weds afternoons.

Engine building began 1846, works claimed to be turning out the best and most powerful engines in the world.

first narrow guage loco built 1855.

Narrow gauge engine shed and carriage store built in 1872.

1892, broad-narrow conversion, all old rolling stock brought to Swindon to be converted, gutted or destroyed.

1846, Premier first swindon built broad gauge passenger loco, built in under 2 weeks. 1851, one loco built a week, built Lord of the Isles, fastest broad-gauge of its day.

Loco division employed most people, included rolling mills making rails.

Carriage and wagon works added in 1868, centralised all operations in Swindon. Works expanded to be able to make everything assoc with railway.

Rodbourne, brickworks.

Sewing shop, french polishers (carriage trimmings).

1875, boiler and tender-making shops, parts for locos' and marine engines used by GWR fleet of ships.

1860s, GWR gets Steam Fire Engine, fire engine and men also loaned out when required in New Swindon and surrounds.

Up until 1867 workers summoned usng a bell, then steam hooter was licensed. heard from 10 miles away.

Initially employed 200 men, 2000 in 1851, then 16,000 (MAYBE) in 1901. approx 3/4 of towns population.

fell to about a 1/4 before WWII

WWII, some men buggered off to be replaced by women, HOWEVER GWR was essential work, so not many men had to go. Works diversified, armour plating, ammunition, explosives, timbers for bridges. Railway works never bombed.

Fewer than 50 wartime deaths frm bombs. Less than 50 houses damaged.

1950s, Evening Star last steam loco from Swindon built in 1959 (conversion of steam to diesel).

1986, closed, 150th year

Health

1844, Locomotive & Carriage Department Sick Fund Society. Provided its members sick pay.

1847, GWR Medical Fund Society opened.

At time - all water for washing was from standpipes taking water from the canal. Drinking water then had to be carried onto estate to whoever wanted it. until mid-1860s

1850s, GWR's first recession. Men laid off, short time introduced, unable to afford medical fee's.

Daniel Gooch, with the backing of the board got a doctor Stuart Keith Rea, to live in company house free of charge if he'd attend accident victims free of charge. Workers had a element of wages deducted at source to pay for all this and to ensure they and every family member recieved treatment in times of illness.

Gooch - ""While I strove to do my duty I remembered that the moral welfare of those under me was a thing for which I would have to answer at a higher tribunal. The happiness of my men and their families depended much upon the influence I exerted over them, and I have striven to make the influence beneficial."

10th December adds

Schools

1764, cottage Newport Street -- free church school, 20boys 5girls. Taught 3R's and principles of Church of England. No languages taught other than English, NO Science. Taking 40pupils by 1820. (45)

1835, non-conformist Girls school. 1836, Swindon's first National School. -- transferred to newly built King William Street School in 1871. National school became Parish Church Men's Club -- demolished 1962 (46)

Page 47, list of SOME private schools in town.

Newspapers

Swindon Advertiser published as a four-page tabloid monthly in 1854. Printed on a hand press in Victoria Street. 1855, became a weekly when stamp duty on newspapers repealed. 1861, printed using Steam Power, using a boiler and engine built in GWR works. 5,000 copies printed weekly. 1870, renamed Swindon Advertiser and Wiltshire, Berkshire and Gloucestershire Chronicle. Daily since 1898. Renamed Evening Advertiser in 1926.

1861, North Wiltshire Herald, Devizes Road. 1865, Bath Road. 1882, printed daily. 1922, bought by Swindon Advertiser. 1942, Became North Wiltshire Herald and Advertiser. 1950, became Wiltshire Herald and Advertiser. (73) 1956, became Wiltshire Gazzette and Herald. (74) DON'T KNOW WHEN IT BECAME A WEEKLY.

Other Papers, 1870, New Swindon Express, Wiltshire Times (still going)[1], Bath Herald & North Wiltshire Guardian, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard. (whether printed here or not unknown. dates wooly too) 1962, Swindon Echo (first full colour paper here.. died a death in 4 years) (74)

Other

Arrival of Railway in 1840 saw the merchants and shops of Old Swindon rubbing hands in glee and expanding to cope with potential new customers (81)

13dec

Elections and MP's

Prior to 1918, Swindon was in the Cricklade constituency which, before multiple member constituencies were abolished by the Act of 1884, returned two members.

The Great Western Railway's Sir Daniel Gooch survived several elections, and was joined in Parliament by Ambrose Goddard in 1874. M.H. Nevil Story-Maskelyne 1880, (and 2 more in succession), 1886 (liberal) (beating Sir John Bennett and B.C.F. Costello) When Swindon became a constituency, Sir Frederick W. Young (conservative) Labour first time in 1929 - Rt. Hon. Sir Charles Addison Banks 1931 (cons) Addison 1934 (by election) (cons till end of war) (post war labour)

Swindon 4 - Population

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?id=297

Swindon 5 - Business

"Swindon unemployment levels are amongst the lowest in Europe" "Swindon is the fastest-growing commercial area in Europe"

Vickers

Spitfire etc http://www.swindonweb.com/guid/heriplanes0.htm

Plessey

Plessey [2] - now Zarlink Semiconductor - UK HQ [3]

"Plessey, known then primarily as a manufacturer of radio components, opened its factory in Kembrey Street, Gorse Hill, in 1940."

"although Plessey's workforce in Britain was cut from 10,000 to 7,000 by 1947 as demand fell off, it was the Swindon factory that not only survived but was also set to flourish.

By 1952, when some items were still rationed, the Town Development Act had sealed Swindon's future, with Plessey playing a leading role.

The Act led to the building of Cheney Manor Trading Estate which was to become the heart of the ever expanding and diversifying Plessey operation as the company chose the estate as the site of its new factories.

The workforce had expanded to 2,300 by the mid-1950s, and by 1960 an incredible turnaround was complete, with Plessey supplanting the railway factory as Swindon's leading employer. Its rival for the honour was, in fact, not the GWR but the Pressed Steel Fisher "

1957 Plessey decided it should have a stake in the new market and opened a new factory at Cheney Manor. Plessey Semiconductors.

"around 70 per cent of the total workforce were women by the 1960s"

Bought Garrards.

"Industrial relations problems in the 1970s and a hostile takeover by GEC in 1989"

"Zarlink Semiconductor, which acquired GEC-Plessey Semiconductors in 1998, was originally part of Mitel, the Canadian corporation. It currently runs a design centre, sales office and manufacturing facility at Plessey's original factory in Cheney Manor, employing around 400 people in Swindon."

Garrards

http://www.swindonweb.com/guid/herigarrard.htm

http://garrard501.com/history.html

factory opened in 1919

1958 fire - "temporarily move into premises belonging to Plessey, the electronics firm whose fortunes would become intertwined with Garrard's - and sooner than most could have predicted, as Plessey bought Garrard's in 1960."

Japanese cheapies = "Mass redundancies were inevitable and two thirds of the workforce was wiped out in a single day in 1978 as the Blunsdon site was closed."

"In 1979 Garrard's was sold to a Brazilian firm, Gradiente, for a nominal fee, and in 1982 production in Swindon ceased altogether - the last 179 jobs out of more than 4,500 less than ten years earlier, finally axed."

"Garrard's Swindon operation was split into three sites, with the main Newcastle Street factory - where the B&Q/Halfords Fleming Way superstore now stands - housing production lines plus research and development (R&D) facilities. Blunsdon was a press and moulding shop and the Cheney Manor premises - known to Garrard's/Plessey workers as Building 103 - was a factory producing the cheaper range of turntables. This is now owned by Deloro Stellite."

Cars

http://www.swindonweb.com/guid/hericar.htm

" History of Swindon to 1965, which was published by the Wiltshire Library and Museum Service.

After reading through the detailed history of the development of Swindon and its railway factory, the reader is eventually told, on page 131: 'In 1954 the Pressed Steel Co. established a factory just over the borough boundary, in Stratton St Margaret, which in 1965 employed 6,595 people.' "

"The book coolly points out that, at the same date, the Pressed Steel workforce was a thousand more than at Swindon Railway Works. In other words, we can date of the demise of the railway town to the first half of the 1960s - and if we rewind a few years more, we come to arguably the most important date in Swindon¹s entire history since Brunel's decision to open a railway centre here over a century earlier. That date was 25th June, 1952, when Swindon received Government approval for its development plan to be an overspill centre for London as the capital continued its long recovery from the Second World War.

It marked the beginning of an era that would see Swindon attract a great many other industries - and the charge to Swindon was led by The Pressed Steel Company. "

"As Swindon: A Town in Transition, a history written in 1975, points out, Pressed Steel - along with two other major employers, Vickers and Plessey - formed the hard core of the new expansion and diversification of Swindon's industry. In their wake, many smaller firms followed - it needed a decision by one or two large firms to locate in Swindon before the smaller ones would take the risk. However, after Pressed Steel came and Vickers and Plessey began to expand, the next few years were ones of rapid expansion."

"Although the land was bought in 1954, it was New Year's Eve 1955 before the first car body panel was stamped in Swindon, and the factory expanded rapidly over the next five years. The original phase was complete by 1957, but the site almost doubled in size again in 1958. Although Pressed Steel was able to draw upon the town's exisiting pool of skilled labour - especially as wages were higher than in the declining railway factory on the other side of town - most of its Swindon workforce were Londoners, in keeping with the overspill plan."

"Rather than talking about homes springing up, it is more accurate to talk about how whole new communities were born - and it was no coincidence that this was when the council estates of Parks and Walcot areas of town suddenly emerged."

"owever, from the ashes of BL came the Rover Group, and it was Rover's flag that was hoisted on to the front gates of the site - although, in 1990, a partnership between Rover and Honda meant that the factory was 20 per cent owned by the Japanese company."

"Honda giving the town a massive vote of confidence in 1985.

Swindon would eventually become not just home to a major Honda factory, but the centrepiece of the firm's whole European car operation which now also includes the manufacture of cars for the American market.

Utilising part of the old Vickers site at South Marston, which had helped with wartime Spitfire production, the site would eventually grow to 1.5million square metres - three times larger than even the Pressed Steel site. "

"n March 2003 the millionth Swindon-built Honda car and the 1.5millionth Swindon-built Honda engine rolled off the production line - and HUM (Honda of the UK Manufacturing) had long since become the town's second largest employer (behind Swindon Borough Council) with around 4,000 workers"

Rover was bought by BMW and then quickly sold again.

While BMW's bosses were busy disposing of its former Rover assets, they were impressed enough by what they saw at Swindon to make the decision to retain ownership of the car body plant - and in 2000 it began trading as Swindon Pressings Ltd (SPL).

2,000 people still work at the Swindon factory, which also has a satellite plant in Birmingham.

Today it turns out parts for MG Rover, Land Rover and other manufacturers such as Nissan, although perhaps its most glamorous products are the panels for BMW's phenomenally successful new Mini , which are assembled at Oxford.

Cars partly or wholly built in Swindon include: Triumph 2000, Triumph Spitfire, Austin Healy Sprite, Austin 1100, MG Midget, MGB, MG ZA Magnatte, Land Rover, Range Rover, the new BMW Mini, Rover 75 Tourer, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V.

Honda

http://www.swindonoffice.com/articles/honda20.htm

In August 1986, a decision was made by Honda Motor Co. Ltd in Japan to start investing in the UK with a Pre-Delivery Inspection Facility for Honda cars being sold in Europe - and their South Marston plant was born.

75% of the cars produced at Honda of the UK Manufacturing Limited are exported

Employment: total 4000

• 1985 HUM established
• 1986 HUM operational - Pre-Delivery Inspection started in South Marston
• 1989 Engine Plant production begins
• 1992 Car manufacturing starts in No 1 Car Plant

Second Engine Line installed

• 1995 Press Facility established
• 1996 10th Operational anniversary
• 1998 1 millionth engine produced

250,000th Civic

• 1999 ½ millionth car produced

10th anniversary of engine production

250,000th Accord

• 2000 CR-V production begins
• 2001 No 2 Car Plant starts production
• Civic Type-R exported to Japan
• 2002 CR-V exported to North America

10th anniversary of car production

Press Facility expansion

End of Accord production

• 2003 1 millionth car produced

1½ millionth engine produced

• 2004 250,000th CR-V

15 year anniversary of engine production

• 2005 2 millionth engine produced

750,000th Civic produced

1½ millionth car produced

Diesel engine assembly begins

• 2006 06 Civic production begins

HUM 20th Anniversary year

http://world.honda.com/HondaUKMfg/

http://www.mfg.honda.co.uk/

Swindon 6

From

Geology

Hill = 1mile long from East to West

Old Swindon = Purbeck & Portland Stone (main), Lower Greensand. New Swindon = Kimmeridge Clay (main), Corrallian outcrops to north then Oxford Clay.

River Ray forms western boundary, River Cole is a tributary.

Ancient Parish, with hill in centre == 3,136 acres

Other

Manor of High Swindon was worth 133s 4d in 1334, putting it on par with assessments of Devizes, Westbury and Warminster.

248 poll tax payers == not just a rural manor.

Swindon 7

From

David Murray John OBE, BA -- CHECK REF "The period was the phenomenal growth of the GWR works in Swindon where the GWR management concentrated, to a far greater degree than any other Railway Company, most of their manufacturing, repair and servicing operations. In the result there existed in Swindon by the end of the 19th century, the largest industrial complex to be found in Europe" page (v) (intro)

"From a little old fashioned place it has developed into one of the most progressive and up-to-date towns in England" (9)

The New British Traveller (Walpools) -- CHECK REF "A small village of no importance on the summit of the hill near the important market town of Highworth" (11)

Bath Road originally named "The Sands" (11)

Pest House "..which stood out by itself on a portion of Goddard Avenue Estate. It was a building which we looked upon as almost a small Siberia, and the occupants were regarded as dangerous to come into contact with" (11-12)

End of Crimean War "at that time New Swindon was practically a village, the only streets in existence being those containing the houses built by the GWR for the accommodation of their employees" (23)

Scares houses at the time of Rolling Mills, families imported from Wales, no houses for them. "The Barracks" built as a model communal dwelling (23)

Rapid growth of works + demand = Speculative house builders

The Swindon Advertiser was formed by William Morris, first printed & published in High Street, Swindon, February 6 1854. Offices moved to Victoria Street, house bearing tablet of Richard Jefferies. Morris built Newspaper House, incl. Printing offices to rear. (24)

The North Wilts Herald was founded in April 1861, first printed in Devizes Road in a room which was once a Private School, then Printing Office, then carpenters workshop, then "The Parish Room". Publishing offices moved to Wood Street. (24)

Non-sectarian Elementary School in New Swindon, adjoining St Mark's Church. Built by GWR for the education of employee's children and entirely under the control and supervision of the board of directors. (28)

"Quite a large number of boys who afterwards became officals of the Great Western, and many other railways throughout the civilized world, recieved their education in this excellent school" (28)

School built at back of Unitarian Church, Sectarian, Mixed school (Regent Street/Cromwell St) (32)

Unitarian Church, "Long Room, with Iron-sides and half-circle roof" - Labelled "Iron Church". Pastor, "extreme views, a strong believer in Spiritualism", seances in his house in Drove Road. Brought a faith healer to town that failed. New doctrine of spiritualism caused many worshippers to seek other churches to attend. Dwindling congregation, Iron Church abandoned and later demolished. (34-35)

Wroughton Feast, annual, lasted a week. Back of Three Tuns was congregation point for all local fairs. Feast took place in summer (during school holidays). (43)

"A Programme of Horse, Pony, Donkey and Foot racing. Climbing the greasy pole..." Prize == leg of mutton (46)

Chief Event == "Champion Gip Fight" between Gypsy clans. Bare-Knuckle boxing. (44)

Over years, gradually toned down. Became a village tea-party, now nothing. (46)

June 3 1874, Horse - George Frederick - won Derby (47)

Trained by Tom Leader (born there) stabled in High Street, Wroughton (48)

Whole town celebrated, including open houses at pubs, horse given band accompaniement on walk from Swindon Station (49)

"Lord Bolinbroke, of Lydiard Park, endeavoured to stop the use of the GWR 'hooter' on the ground that it might possibly frighten and disturb some of his pheasants while sitting on their eggs on his estate. So bitter were the GWR employees and hundreds of others not employed in the works, that a petition .. was sent" (67)

Mechanics built in 1855 by "New Swindon Improvement Company" enlarged in 1895. Previous to construction, classes and dances etc. held in shops in the Works. Institution itself established 1843. (94)

For many years, council of the institute booked -- Ballad and other concerts by Metropolitan artistes and other popular groups. Readings by local celebrities and "Foremost elocutionists", professors from London Polytechnic to give demonstration lectures on scientific and other subjects. (96)

Touring dramatic concert, opera and panto companies rented the hall for performances. (poss best place in town to perform) (96)

Christchurch was opened for services, November 7th 1851 (117)

Swindon 8 - Timelines

RAF Welford

http://home.freeuk.net/rmarg/welfordhistory.htm