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.

Title Description Datesort icon
Bath Road, Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1925

As Swindon's population expanded this along with many other churches around this time replaced their older smaller buildings such as the Octagonal chapel in the Planks and opened this church able to accomodate 800 in 1880, it was renovated in the 1970's.

 July 1, 1925 Then
Eastcott Hill, Slaughterhouse, 1926

This photograph shows a young Charlie Hill being held on the animal by the Drover, Zonk Thorne. It was taken in 1926 at the slaughterhouse on Eastcott Hill next to the Duke of Wellington public house. (Charlie Hill senior has a butchers on Fleet Street). Also shown is Stan Heath holding the animal's head.

 June 1, 1926 Then
Portrait, Swindon Bus Trip to Weymouth, 1926

A Borough of Swindon bus at Salisbury while on a trip to Weymouth. Among the passengers are, Charlie and Elsie Browning with Bert and Vera Shipton (sat at the rear of the bus). At this time a nameplate at the front of the bus showed the name of the manufacturer 'Dennis' which started a myth that all bus drivers were called Dennis.

 June 1, 1926 Then
Old Mill Lane 3, The Lawn

Housemaids at the Lawn taking a few minutes break from their duties by the fountain in the Italian Garden

 July 1, 1926 Then
Swindon, Portrait, Tom Williams, 1926

Tom Williams seen here in 1926 was born in Blaenavon in Wales, he started work at 13 in the local mines with woodworkking machines. Seeing few opportunities for work during the depression he, like many others, decided to leave and go seeking employment eleswhere. He walked from Wales to Swindon sleeping rough and doing any odd jobs he could along the way. With the offer of a work at Colbourne's timber yard in County Road on Monday morning he slept that weekend in the shelter at Ferndale Road Recreation Ground and was taken on Monday morning. He worked for that company for many years including over the period of the war when he also served in the Civil Defence. Later he worked for the local builders, Pope Brothers, as a wood machinist. He enjoyed singing, and was well-known as a soloist at local events, such as competitions and Mayor's Balls travelling to nearby towns on occasion. He was also a soloist at the Christ Church centenary celebrations, and on retirement from work he sang with the Ralway Veterans Choir.

 July 1, 1926 Then