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
Clarence Street/Groundwell Road: Queens Theatre Interior 1900

Interior of the Queen's Theatre, opened in 1898 with seating for over a 1000 and became the Empire in 1906. Served as a cinema from 1929-47. It closed its doors for the last time in 1955 and was demolished in 1959

 January 1, 1900 Then
Hooty - Swindon character around 1900

'Hooty' was one of Swindon's most colourful and best known characters in the early days of the last century. He apparently gained his nickname by imitating the sound of GWR factory hooter on a piece of pipe. His real name was George French. Local children called him 'Hooty up the gas pipe' after finding him asleep in one of the huge pipes at the Queen Street gas works. He made a meagre living by making paper windmills on sticks (he is shown holding one) and trading these with children for jam jars, which he then sold. Poor 'Hooty' sadly died in poverty in the Swindon workhouse in June 1906

 June 1, 1900 Then
GWR, Carriage & Wagon works, Staff

The Carriage Department staff around 1900. Note no date is given so we have estimated one.

 June 1, 1900 Then
GWR, Locomotive, 'Pendennis Castle'

Locomotive 4-4-0 No.3253 'Pendennis Castle'. Note no date is given so we estimated one.

 June 1, 1900 Then
GWR, Locomotive 'William Dean'

Locomotive 4-6-0 'William Dean' designed by G.J. Churchward. Note no date is given so we estimated one.

 June 1, 1900 Then