A little bit about where I live

Well hello again - it's been a long time coming but here is my latest offering:-
Over on Docrafts Gill set us a challenge. To tell each other some facts about where we live, so here goes.
Being lazy I scanned the web and found this info, so I can't guarantee that everything is 100% correct.


A Brief History of Swindon
Swindon began as a Saxon village.

Swindon is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086).
The Great Western Railway reached Swindon in 1840. By 1848 it had a workforce of 180 men.
By 1881 the population of Swindon exceeded 15,000. But it was still 2 settlements, the old town and the new town, divided by fields.
As early as 1851 the old town was lit by gas. In the new town, however, there were no gas street lights till 1864.
The first newspaper in Swindon began in 1854. At first it was published monthly but from 1855 was weekly and from 1895 daily.
By the early 20th century there were about 14,000 men working in the railway works at Swindon.
In the 1930's Swindon continued to grow and reached a population of 61,000 by 1939.
After World War II it was decided that people and industry should be moved out of London to 'overspill' towns. In 1952 Swindon was designated an overspill town and about 14,000 people moved to the town from London between then and the mid 1960's. There were also many 'immigrants' from other areas.
In 1972 a multi mini roundabout known as the magic roundabout was built.
A railway museum opened in Swindon in 1962.
The end of an era came in 1986 when the railway works closed but by then the town was no longer dependent on it. Today Swindon’s railway heritage lives on in the form of museums.
Today industry is far more diverse than it was 50 years ago. The main employers are car manufacturing (Honda moved to Swindon in 1985), insurance, banking and building societies Other large employers are engineering, pharmaceuticals and food distribution. Today tourism has become a major industry.
The Parade shopping precinct was built in 1964. Fleming Way was built in 1965. The town centre was pedestrianised in 1976. The Brunel Centre was built in the 1970's and was completed in 1978. However, it was revamped in the 1990s and was turned into Brunel Arcade and Brunel Plaza.
Great Western designer outlet centre opened in 1997.
Oasis leisure centre opened in 1976.
Steam, the Great Western Railway museum opened in 2000. Also in the year 2000 Bath University opened a branch at Swindon.
The Great Western Hospital opened in December 2002
Today the population of Swindon is 180,000.
Swindon is now one of the fastest growing towns in Europe.
Information from ‘A Brief History of Swindon’ by Tim Lambert


Sons and daughters of Swindon, the famed Wiltshire town:
UPDATE: Most Important News

My font of all knowledge Maria gave me this vital piece of information to add to my blog...

The Tuckers lived in Liden from July 1986 - Oct 1987

Samantha Tucker born 13th August 1987

James Dyson - Inventor of the Ball Barrel and many others but most famous for his vacumn cleaner.
Gladys Aylwood - (missionary in China - they made the film Inn of the 6th Happiness about her)
Sir Michael Johnson - inventor of the waste paper basket
Ken White - Swindon artist famous for all the Murals produced in the 80's
Mate of Branson - Ken White did the Scarlet Lady thing that is on all the Virgin airliners .
John Francome MBE - The Jockey chap
Desmond Morris - The Naked Ape chap
Diana Dors - Actress.
Melinda Messinger - Model and actress.
Mark LaMarr - Comedian and TV presenter.
Julian Clary - TV Presenter.
Supertramp  - 80's rock band.
Billie Piper - Teen popstar and actress
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Singer songwriter.
XTC - 80's band.
David Hempleman-Adams - Explorer who likes very cold places.
Mabel Stranks - A remarkable postmistress who was a spy in WWII.
Justin Hayward - One of the founders of the Moody Blues and their 'voice'.

When I feel less lazy I'll find some pictures and put them on here too

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments that you wish to make