Swindon, Faringdon Road Park c.1965

Photo ref: S254104

Photo ref: S254104

Photo of Swindon, Faringdon Road Park c.1965

More about this scene

The land for this park, west of the GWR Village, was donated in 1844 by Colonel T Vilett, one of the major landowners in the area, for the use of the railway community as a cricket ground and amenity area. Many famous cricketers played here in Victorian days, including Dr W G Grace. From 1868 it was the site for the famous annual children's fete, which continued until the outbreak of World War II. This social occasion, held on the second Saturday in August, attracted large crowds and required a large group of helpers to organize the catering, dances, tickets and admissions. In the foreground of this photograph are the remains of the formal Victorian gardens.

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A Selection of Memories from Swindon

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Swindon

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New House.

My parents and I moved to Swindon in 1961 from Edmonton, London to a brand new three bedroom house ( think). My father worked at Pressed Steel were they made car body panels for Austin, and Morris, and I used to cycle halfway to the factory to meet him from work. I can well remember the bad winter of 1962/63, with snow till March. My mother was stuck in Princess Margarets Hospital, ( I think it was), having given birth to ...see more

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Added 22 March 2021

Clifton Street Annexe

Hi Anyone out there remember the Clifton Street School Annexe? I lived in Newburn Cres, not far away, in 1968-70, and went to school there. My Dad was a policeman and we lived in a police house next door to Jane Gresham who was friends with my sister. Mr Edwards was my favourite teacher, he was Welsh.On Wednesdays we had to go to the Clifton Street School proper for assembly.We had a young Welsh girl ...see more

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Added 14 October 2016

Swindon 1957 To 1966

We moved to Swindon in 1957 from London (Wimbledon, actually) when my dad, a skilled engineer, got a job at Vickers Armstrongs at South Marston, with a brand new council house thrown in. In those post-war austerity days there was no problem getting a council house - in these austerity days, however, very, very few are being built despite a great need. I digress. But by the time I left Commonweal Grammar and then ...see more