These Uzzell family stories seem to be popular. I am enjoying reading all the comments on Facebook. More to follow … and watch out for some of Duncan’s photos.
In 1982 a story grabbed the Swindon headlines, which struck a chord with Swindonians, especially rock band XTC.
In the 1970s Swindon town centre was one big building site (nothing changes). Residents of a length of Westcott Place and all of Westcott Street were given notice to quit their homes, which were due for demolition. By 1975 most of them had gone but one couple refused – Richard and Betty Uzzell were going nowhere. Their house was paid for and after more than 20 years they had got it just how they wanted it.
Swindon band XTC attacked the redevelopment of Swindon at the expense of people’s homes in their song Ball and Chain released in 1982. Don’t Want demolition/Don’t want your compensation./It’s not just bricks and mortar/We are lambs to slaughter. Their record sleeve showed a picture of Richard and Betty’s home, supported by two bricked up houses either side.
After more than a decade of battling the local authority the couple eventually settled for an undisclosed amount of money. I don’t know where Richard and Betty Uzzell moved to after their long battle – but I think know where they came from!
Born in 1923 Richard was the son of Winifred Violet Maud Uzzell. He could trace his family tree back to David and Fanny Uzzell, friends of the First World War Poet Edward Thomas. The photograph above shows four generations of the Uzzell family possibly including Fanny and perhaps that is baby Richard on his mother’s lap. Can anyone confirm?
Many thanks to Ali Keating who has identified the people in this photograph.
Fanny’s daughter Kate is standing at the back & I believe the younger lady is her daughter Ruth holding her baby William.
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Radnor Street Cemetery 
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