Tag: the Swindon Society

Radnor Street Cemetery event – May 2011

I have spent this week scrolling through the Radnor Street Cemetery archives in search of stories to tell on our next guided cemetery walk. And then up popped a memory on Facebook from May 2011.

Mark and I had long established a programme of cemetery walks when I suggested holding a local history exhibition in the cemetery chapel. We fixed a date, May 21 and 22, and invited the local history groups who supported our cemetery walks to bring along a display.

I look back now and I’m amazed at how supportive and enthusiastic everyone was and how hard they worked across the two days.

Members of the Swindon Society, the Rodbourne Community History Group, staff from Swindon Central Library Local Studies and Graham and Julie from the Alfred Williams Heritage Society all lugged their display boards, books and pamphlets up the steep cemetery incline to the chapel. Roger brought his Empire Theatre display and artist Andy Preston brought his ethereal artworks of the Radnor Street Cemetery angels. Mark and I conducted two guided walks across the two days.

Together we all shared our love of the cemetery and the fascinating history of Swindon and the people who made it a town of which to be proud. That weekend we met old friends and made new ones. We heard familiar stories retold and learned new ones. And we laughed – a lot!

As I look at the photos of that amazing weekend I am sad to see the faces of those we have lost in recent years. Bob, slight of stature but bold and brave, who we tried (unsuccessfully) to persuade to climb the old bell tower on a recce; and Mark, who told the stories of his First World War heroes, something those who heard him will never forget.

Join Andy and myself on Sunday June 1, 2025 for another guided cemetery walk. Meet at the chapel 1.45 pm for a 2 pm start.

Setting up

Alfred Williams Heritage Society

Artist Andy Preston

Radnor Street Cemetery display

Rodbourne Community History Group

Roger and the Empire Theatre display

The Swindon Society display

Setting up

the Dream Team

Our poster for the 2011 weekend event

Swindon and District History Network

Last evening I attended the 50th meeting of the Swindon and District History Network. The Network was formed as an initiative by staff in Local Studies at Swindon Central Library to bring together all the various history societies, writers and researchers who regularly used the resources there, to share and support their work. More than thirteen years later the Network continues to thrive and this week saw new and existing members squeeze into the Reading Room in Central Library to celebrate and share our projects.

The Network has been hugely supportive to me as both an individual and as a member of the Swindon Heritage magazine team (published 2013-2017). As one of the original members of the Network, I took the opportunity to thank those societies who opened their archives, contributed articles and supported the magazine across five busy years of publication. I spoke about Mark Sutton, military and local historian, author and co-founder of Swindon Heritage who sadly died last year and is greatly missed on the local history scene in Swindon.

This coming weekend – September 9 and 10 – sees Swindon’s history on display during the Heritage Open Day events (8-17 September) when local history groups show Swindonians what a fascinating history their town has. I will be at the Heritage Apple Day event with the Friends of Lydiard Park in the Walled Garden at Lydiard House on Sunday, September 10 – 11-4 pm.

Our next guided cemetery walk takes place on Sunday September 17. Meet at the Chapel in Radnor Street Cemetery for 2 pm.

Local history is alive and busy in 21st century Swindon – come and join us.

Swindon’s Market and Fair Charter 1626 on display in Central Library, ground floor.