SWINDON-W-I-D-E History Festival

Address: Visit Highworth Museum - 7 High Street, Highworth, SN6 7BE

Highworth Museum housed in the Old Lloyd’s bank strong room, not something you find on every High Street, displays Highworth Historical Society’s exhibits, information, timelines and pictures covering different aspects of Highworth's history. Find out about the old Railway route linking Highworth and surrounding villages to the great Swindon Railway works, or maybe more about the official ABBA fan club? Displays change regularly to highlight different eras from Highworths rich and varied history. There is a digital visual display showing Highworth through the ages.

The Visit Highworth Shop and Museum are currently .
We are open at the following times:
Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 3pm
Saturday: 9am to 2pm
Monday and Sunday: closed

Address: The Old Chapel, Butts Road, Chiseldon

Chiseldon Museum opened in 2004 and contains a mixture of permanent and temporary displays about the history of the village and the historic surrounding parish. Permanent displays include a timeline on the development of the area, the story of the railway within the village, and the discovery of the Chiseldon Cauldrons. This year’s temporary exhibits include ‘Schooldays’ and ‘Pubs of the Parish’ as well as a volume of photographs and postcards collected by a long term village resident.
Entrance is free.

The Chiseldon Museum is open at the following times:
Saturday: 2pm to 4pm
Sunday to Friday: closed

Address: The Maunsell Way Pavilion. Wroughton

With support from Wroughton Parish Council, Wroughton History Group have opened a museum to display their collection of Wroughton related items.
The displays feature:

• Shops and Businesses including Listers, the old Post Office and Preddy's Bakery)
• Wroughton in World War 1 and 2
• Pubs
• Race horses from Wroughton

Entry is free and tea/coffee can be served to all visitors.

The Wroughton Museum is open at the following times:
Saturdays: 2pm to 5pm
Sunday to Friday: closed

Address: High St, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 7AU

Royal Wootton Bassett Museum is located in the old Town Hall on the High Street, in the small pedestrianised area opposite the junction with Station Road. The 17th century building rests on stone pillars, under which is an 18th century fire engine.
The Town Hall Museum consists of a collection of artifacts, the majority of which relate directly to life, in Bassett, in the past; a diorama of the train station and its connection to the St. Ivel Dairy, fossils from the Mud Springs, the Ducking Stool.
There is also a variety of short films to view, together with an extensive photographic collection.
In addition, two semi-permanent displays, that of the M4 entitled, 'When Superslab came to Yogurt Town' and another on the 'The History of the Post Office'.

Please be aware that access to the museum is via an external staircase.

For more information visit the Town Hall Museum website.

The Wootton Bassett Town Hall Museum is open at the following times:
Wednesdays: 10:00 to 12:00
Saturdays: 10:00 to 12:00

Visit Highworth is delighted to offer specially devised guided walking tours for individuals and groups covering the fascinating and rich history of Highworth.

Town Tours can be arranged, subject to the availability of one of our guides (who are volunteers), on a day and at a time convenient to you. Please call or email to discuss your requirements.

• Cost: £5 per person, under 16yrs free when accompanied by an adult.
  Booking is essential as group numbers are limited.
• Duration: Tour length is approximately an hour and the route is flat.
• Call Visit Highworth during our opening hours to book or find out more.
  Tel: 01793 764440

Why not explore Stratton History Trails – UPPER STRATTON and LOWER STRATTON – that celebrate the rich heritage of the area, highlighting 3 blue plaque sites, buildings of historic significance, and places of local interest. The Upper Stratton Route begins on Green Road. The Lower Stratton Route starts at the White Hart. Both have a handy QR code to help you navigate and includes the history of all designated stops on the trail. You can see the routes and more information here

St Margarets Church. Stratton Swindon

A chance to join a Heritage guided ‘Walk and Talk trail, hosted by the Stratton History Society, starting with an examinationof the ‘HISTORY BOARD’ on display inside the church.

Starting from: St. Margarets Church Stratton
Time: 11:00
Cost: £10

St Phillips Church. Stratton Swindon

A chance to join a Heritage guided ‘Walk and Talk’ trail, hosted by the Stratton History Society, starting from St. Phillips Church on a History Walk around Upper Stratton and finish off with a cream tea.

Starting from: St. Phillips Church Stratton
Time: 15:00
Cost: £10

Grange Leisure Centre:
Check out our HISTORY BOARD displayed here during the first 2 weeks of September

Coleview Community Centre:
The Centre will have a HISTORY BOARD on display for the last 2 weeks of September.

Beechcroft Library:
will present a ‘Local History of Swindon’ display and available resources, and The History Society will have their ‘HISTORY BOARD’ ready for discussion.

DROP-IN any Thursday in September and from 16:00 to 17:00 Stratton’s History Society will be in the Library ready to engage with anyone who wants to know about the local history.

Meadowcroft Community Centre:
Within our Youth Provision, we will run sessions showing the young people how Swindon has evolved during the past 50 years.

‘Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wiltshire’
with archaeologist David Dawson.

Hosted by the Wroughton History Group:
Wiltshire is rich in folklore with songs, stories, customs and folk crafts scattered across the landscape. David, Director of the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, will explore the folk lore of Wiltshire’s History and the vibrant traditions and customs taking place in Wiltshire today.

Venue: St Joseph’s Church Hall Devizes Road Wroughton, SN4 0RZ
Time: 19:30
Cost: Visitors £3

• Facebook     Wroughton History Group website

‘The History of the REME Corp.’
with Andrew Skelton, REME Education & Events Officer.

Hosted by The Historical Society of Royal Wootton Bassett:
Formed in, and shaped by necessity in 1942, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers have served ion the frontline of every major theatre of operations since then. They have grown to care for all of the Army's equipment; tanks, helicopters, vehicles, artillery and weapons systems, engineer plant, generators and more. Come and learn about their exciting history.

Venue: St. Bartholomew's Primary Academy, The Rosary, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wilts. SN4 8AZ
Time: TBA
Cost: Visitors £5, under 18s free

• Facebook     Historical Society of RWB website

Exploring Railway History
with Dr Rosa Matheson.

Hosted by the Chiseldon Local History Group:
Rosa takes us on a journey with ‘history eyes’ through her many books asking – ‘What is railway history?’

Venue: Holy Cross Church Hall, Butts Rd, SN4 0NN
Time: 19:30
Cost: Visitors £5

• Facebook     Chiseldon Local History Group website

‘The Story of West Swindon’
by Roger Ogle.

The first people moved into Swindon's ‘western expansion’ 50 years ago. This talk, illustrated with about 80 images, tells the story of what was there before urban development started, why it took place, and how West Swindon has become a diverse, distinct and successful community.

Copies of West Swindon: ‘What the Eye Doesn't See’ will be on sale.

Venue: The Village Inn, Shaw Village Centre, SN5 5PY
Time: 19:30
Cost: Free entry

‘The History of Gin’
by April Thrush.

Hosted by Highworth Historical Society:
Once a social nightmare as ‘Mother’s ruin’ now a popular, socially acceptable drink - what made the difference?

with tastings from Ramsbury Brewery

Venue: St Michael’s Church, Highworth SN6 7NA
Time: 19:30
Cost: Visitors £3

• Facebook     Highworth Historical Society website

‘The Golden Age of Book Illustration’
with Kirsty Hartsiotis.

Friends of Museum & Art Swindon welcome Kirsty Hartsiotis who will explore the fascinating period when book illustration became high art in and of itself.

Venue: The Council Chamber in Swindon’s Civic Offices Euclid Street.
Time: 19:00
Cost: Members £3
Non-members £10

• Facebook     Find out more

THE HISTORY SPOT:
Join Shirley Ludford talking with Graham Carter and Rosa Matheson of ‘The History Team’ and Chris Smith, Site Operations Manager of Christ Church as they talk about SWINDON-WIDE HISTORY FESTIVAL.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 11:00 to 12:00

THE HISTORY SPOT:
‘Talking about talking about HISTORY’ with Stephen and Graham Carter of ‘The History Team’. You, yes YOU, can put a fascinating ‘TALK’ together. Learn the must dos and leave outs.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 11:00 to 12:00

Girls About Town:
‘Women also know History’ Mandy talks with local historian Dr Rosa Matheson of ‘The History Team’ and Eva Rourke from ‘SHOUTING Softly’ about a woman’s perspective.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 10:00 to 12:00

THE HISTORY SPOT:
‘Let’s Talk Railways’. Shirley Ludford talks with well-known local railway author and previous Curator at STEAM Museum, Tim Bryan, Charles Collett fan, Graham Carter, as well as railway historian Dr Rosa Matheson.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 11:00 to 12:00

Girls About Town:
‘Talking ‘Mums’. Deb Schu Trembin tells her story – ‘My mum was a Railway Porter’ to Shirley Ludford and railway author Rosa Matheson, while Fayeza Sadat and her friend of the Afghanistan Women’s Group talk about their heritage.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 10:00 to 12:00

THE HISTORY SPOT:
Shirley Ludford and Graham Carter of ‘The History Team’ reflect on Swindon’s Heritage, and the magazine of that name.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 11:00 to 12:00

THE HISTORY SPOT:
‘FAMILY is History’. Shirley Ludford talks with John Mills of the Swindon Branch of the Wiltshire Family History Society and Graham Carter and Rosa Matheson of ‘The History Team’.

Venue: Swindon Community Radio
105.5 fm
Time: 11:00 to 12:00