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, Winslows (Swindon) Mandolin Orchestra, 1935

Winslows (Swindon) Mandolin Orchestra, 1935. This photograph taken at BBC Bristol Studio, May 1935. Back row, left to right: ?, ?, ?, F. Selwood, Mr Llewelyn, Mr Leech, C. Dommett, B. Parker. Front row, left to right: ?, S. Price, W. Clifford, Fred Winslow (Band Leader), ?, Mr Costello, F. Morse.

 May 1, 1935 Then
Bands: The Prospect Silver Band 1920

Founded by Edward Bullock when he was 17 in 1908, The Prospect Silver Band, continued until two years after his sudden death forty years later; when his brother took over. It was disbanded in 1948. Edward was employed at the GWR but also worked hard most evenings teaching local people to read music and play instruments. The band were based at the Primitive Methodist Chapel and they had to fundraise with much dedication to afford the silver instruments and uniforms, they were very popular at events all around Swindon.

 June 1, 1920 Then
Bath Road - Devizes Road junction, 1918

Locally called 'Chandlers Corner' because of Chandler's the Drapers shop pictured.

 July 1, 1918 Then
Bath Road, 1904

Bath Road until 1904 was called The Sands, when it was changed to Bath Road. (Looking from the entrance to Quarry Road)

 June 1, 1904 Then
Bath Road, Balch's Dairy, 1905

Balch's Dairy, No 8 Bath Road, in 1905 milk was ladled into jugs in the street not delivered in bottles. This was the can-cleaning and sterilizing section. One dairy in Old Town boasted three deliveries of milk a day.

 July 1, 1905 Then