Then And Now

This section of the site is provided in partnership with The Swindon Society and The Richard Jefferies Society. It enables you to see how the surrounding area used to look and learn more about your town. We are adding value by providing a current photograph taken as far as possible from the same position. The project involves a fair bit of detective work, so if you can add or correct information, please get in touch. This is your site, so if you would like to get involved in extending this project, please let us know.

Titlesort icon Description Date
Bessemer Road, Lower Rodbourne Farm, 1906

Mrs F.M. Watt, Nee Hook, at the gates of Lower Rodbourne Farm, Cheney, Near Swindon was the postal address in 1906.

 August 6, 1906 Then
Bessemer Road, Lower Rodbourne, Shooting Party, 1905

Boxing Day 1905 Jim Hook, extreme left, and Walter in the centre with the gun, at Lower Rodboune Farm in a shooting party.

 December 26, 1905 Then
Birch Street - Westcott Place, The Ship Hotel, 1905

The Ship Hotel on the junction of Birch Street and Westcott Place and with Park Lane and Faringdon Road, was the scene of a murder in 1903.

 July 1, 1905 Then
Blunsden Abbey fire, 1904

Blunsden Abbey fire on the 22nd April 1904. The Swindon Fire Brigade, under Captain Pritchett and Deputy-Captain Mundy, attempted in vain to put out the blaze, pumping water from the adjacent lake. Occupants of the house were rescued by jumping into blankets from the bedroom windows. Unfortunately the house was completely destroyed. Only some of the external walls remain today, the site later became Blunsdon Abbey Caravans Ltd.

 April 22, 1904 Then
Blunsden, decorated wagon for the Hospital Fete, 1905

Blunsden, decorated wagon for the Hospital Fete, c.1905

 June 1, 1905 Then