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
Bands, The Gordon Talbot Orchestra, 1963

Just a section of the Orchestra is shown when they were playing at the McIllroys dance halll in 1963. Left to right: Joe McShane, Bernie Smith, Ronnie Crant and Roger Summerfield.

 June 1, 1963 Then
Bands, The Harry Smith Band, 1970s

Playing at Churchfield School for a charity dance in aid of hospital radio in the 1970's. Harry originally formed the band in 1935, when he had been manager of the Bradford Hall (now called The Art Centre). Back row, left to right: Joe Giles, Eddie Edwards, Ernie Fisher; front row: Trevor Matthews, Wally Chatfield, Harry Smith, Ken Smith, Frank Jeffcutt.

 June 1, 1975 Then
Bands, The Johnnie Stiles Band, 1940

The Johnnie Stiles Band here pictured at the BBC Studios in Bristol, Boxing Day 1940. They were recording a session for 'Music While You Work'. Back row, left to right: Charlie Comley, Gordon Talbot, John (Jock) Walker, Roger Summerfield, Maurice Cole, Ron Richards; front row: Ronnie Grant, Peter Coleman, Arthur Marsh, Johnnie Stiles, Harry Smith, Jim Mason.

 December 26, 1940 Then
Bands, The Johnnie Stiles Band, 1948

The Johnnie Stiles Band photographed after winning their first ever Dance Band contest. This win at Reading was to lead them to increased fame eventually after winning many more contests they becam the All-British Dance Band Champions in 1948 and 1949. Back row, left to right: Les Taylor, Eric Goodman, Gordon Talbot, Arthur Marsh, Sam Morgan (the band's manager); front row: Pete Coleman, Phil Hillier, Charlie Comley, John (Jock) Walker, Johnnie Stiles, Ken Kitchen, Roger Summerfield.(NB the date is approximated)

 June 1, 1942 Then
Bands, The New Sylvians Dance Band, 1939

Len Winslow and his New Sylvians Dance band at the Bradford Hall (now The Arts Centre). Originally the band was known as Bert Cullingford and his New Sylvians, but by this time, 1939, Bert had been seconded to the US Army for the war effort, and Len Winslow had taken over. Back row, left to right: Jack Bridgeman, Eddie Whatley, Len Winslow; front row: Maurice Cole, John (Jock) Walker, Frank Clarke, Roger Summerfield.

 June 1, 1939 Then