Latest news with #Swindonians
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Museum centrepiece missing for five years seems finally set to return
An iconic museum centrepiece that has been missing for years could soon be back. The hugely popular Indian gharial, nicknamed Apsley, has not been seen by Swindonians since the borough's art gallery and museum closed for the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. But she could well be on her way back home. Swindon Borough Council, which opened a renewed gallery and museum without Apsley in the upper storey of its civic offices in Euclid Street last year is certainly serving up some teasers. Historic pub set to be demolished saved by greenlight for new use Bus gates, no parking and 20mph limit: What new Fleming Way will be like A posting on the authority's Facebook page showed a dramatic picture of the 20-foot crocodile from its fishy prey's perspective, giving a close-up view of Apsley's rows of razor-sharp teeth under the legend 'it's been a while crocodile… Coming soon to Museum & Art Swindon.' It has also posted a cryptic video: A (slightly shaky) camera travels from Apsley House in Old Town to the civic offices, welcomed by council leader Councillor Jim Robbins and the recent Mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh, and up to the door of the museum. Coming Soon: Swindon's most famous resident returns to Museum & Art Swindon 🐊🏛️ — Swindon Borough Council (@SwindonCouncil) May 21, 2025 The caption says: 'Coming soon: Swindon's most famous resident returns to Museum & Art Swindon.' Assuming that the caption isn't suggesting Diana Dors or Billie Piper are soon to move into the civic offices, it seems likely it's another clue to the gharial's return.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Beloved' donkey born at popular farm park dies aged 18
A Swindon-born donkey who has spent the last 18 years greeting visitors at Roves Farm Park has died. Jimmy the donkey was born at Roves Farm just outside of Swindon on March 18, 2007, to mum Hetty, and has been brought up under the supervision of the farm park employees ever since. The "friendly and stubborn" character has seen generations of Swindonians pass through the park, and has been remembered by both staff and visitors for his love of carrots. Jimmy leaves behind one brother, Bobby, who is now the only donkey left at Roves Farm. Sharing the news, a spokesperson for the popular tourist attraction said: "It is with very heavy hearts we have to let you know that our lovely donkey Jimmy has passed away. "He was a very friendly boy, if a little stubborn at times. "He leaves behind his brother Bobby, who is being well looked after by the team with lots of fuss. Jimmy and Bobby were Roves Farm's only donkeys (Image: Roves Farm) "Bobby is currently in the activity barn where he can receive plenty of extra attention and has our group of bottle-fed lambs for company." The park has confirmed that Jimmy was cared for and supported by Equine Valley Vets in his final days, and Roves Farm will be looking for a new companion for his brother Bobby "very soon." Reacting to the news, one ex-staff member at Roves Farm said: "I have lots of happy memories of brushing and chatting to him when I worked there. Recommended reading: 'Only dedicated model shop' in area opens saving enthusiasts long journey Salon owners and dog celebrate 20th anniversary in style New 48-acre country park opens in 'landmark moment' for town "He was a really lovely boy, and yes, he could be very stubborn. "Sending loads of love and hugs to you all." One Swindon resident, 18, who says she remembers regularly visiting Jimmy at the park as a small child, added: "It almost feels like I grew up with him. "Such sad news for Roves Farm and Swindon today."
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Restored building that is part of Swindon's history up for a prestigious award
The restoration of Swindon's historic Carriage Works has been shortlisted in prestigious regional awards, showcasing excellence in the construction history. Local residents are being urged to vote in the public voting by Swindon Borough Council, helping the Carriage Works win. Unit 7B, which hosts the University of Bath and Oxford's Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies (iCAST) facility, was nominated earlier this year in the Regeneration and Conservation category of the Construction Excellence South West (CESW) Awards. The icast unit, a joint endeavour between the two universities that supports private businesses with developing sustainable technologies, is part of a wider regeneration scheme at the Carriage Works site. A number of units have so far been renovated and occupied, including The Workshed, the Royal Agricultural University's Cultural Heritage Institute and Create Studios. Mirabelle Stobbs, Property Assets Officer at Swindon Borough Council, said: 'Working on the Carriage Works buildings to bring them into productive modern use is a pleasure and a privilege. 'The digital, tech and creative business community developing here is a great place to work and it is fantastic recognition that the Carriage Works refurbishment is being recognised in these significant awards.' Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: 'It's great to see the Carriage Works getting the recognition it deserves. 'A lot of thought went into to the design of the space, to make it a future-facing workspace that feels modern and convenient, while retaining the building's historic identity. 'The work to regenerate the site is a long process but with four units already occupied and a further four on the way, it's really starting to get a new lease of life. 'While I know we're up against some tough opposition, I'm sure Swindonians will get behind us and give us the best chance of coming home with the award.' Ross Simmonds, Regional Director for Historic England in the South West, said: 'We're delighted that the Carriage Works in Swindon has been shortlisted for the 2025 Constructing Excellence South West regeneration and conservation award, highlighting the power of heritage-led partnerships to breathe new life into communities. To vote for the Carriage Works in the Construction Excellence South West Awards, visit
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Piece of UK's largest Stegosaur fossil returning ‘home'
A piece of a dinosaur discovered in Swindon has found a new home in the local museum and art gallery. Back in 1874, archaeologists uncovered original fossil remains in the clay pits of Swindon Brick and Tile Company which were sent to Natural History Museum director Richard Owen and became the first example of a stegosaurus to be named and described by scientists. While a large part of the herbivorous 'Dacentrurus' dinosaur is currently on display in that London museum, , other smaller parts were taken away by private fossils hunters and dispersed into other collections. The team at Swindon's council-run museum, which is now based at the Civic Offices on Euclid Street, has recently acquired a vertebra bone which is believed to be from that prehistoric skeleton and was found for sale online by local fossil hunters Dr Neville and Sally Hollingworth. Your Community, Your News Subscribe to Swindon Advertiser now for either 50% off for a year or 3 months for £3. Stay connected with all local happenings. #CommunityNews #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) January 20, 2025 Sally and Neville have been working alongside volunteers and staff at Museum & Art Swindon on identifying parts of the museum's fossil collection through the Arts Council England-funded 'Unlocking Collections' project, and alerted staff to the fossil. The pair said: 'We saw this specimen for sale and realised its importance straight away. 'When the Swindon Stegosaur was collected in the 19th Century some of the original material ended up in private collections and we instantly recognised that the vertebra offered for sale had come from the original site where the skeleton was found. 'We're delighted that Museum & Art Swindon has put this truly unique find from the town on display and, hopefully, this will help raise awareness about the town's Jurassic past.' The Brick and Tile Company site is now occupied by Halford's and The Range in Fleming Way and the green space at Spring Gardens. Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet member for Placemaking and Planning, said: 'Swindon was really important in the history of palaeontology and loads of important fossil hunters lived here or visited Swindon in the late 19th Century to look for specimens. 'The stegosaur ignites the imagination of Swindonians of all ages, and it's fantastic that a piece of it is coming home. 'I recently saw the stegosaur fossil in the Natural History Museum in London - it's great to see Swindon represented in one of the capital's most popular tourist destinations.' The stegosaur vertebra can be seen now at the museum's Swindon Rocks gallery. Later in the year, the vertebra will form part of the Arts Council England supported Fossil Hunters exhibition.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
‘Truly unique find': part of Swindon Stegosaur returns to Wiltshire town
The spectacular remains of the first stegosaur to be described by scientists – discovered in a clay pit in Swindon in 1874 – are on display in the grand surroundings of the Natural History Museum in London. But 150 years on, a little piece of the Swindon Stegosaur has been returned to the Wiltshire town, after two fossil hunters spotted one of its vertebrae for sale on an online marketplace site. They alerted the council and it has gone on display at the local authority-run museum in Swindon, a reminder of the role the town played in one of the UK's most remarkable dinosaur discoveries. The fossil remains were found in the clay pits of Swindon Brick and Tile Company in 1874, a site in Fleming Way now occupied by shops and a gardens. They were sent off to Sir Richard Owen, then director of the Natural History Museum, for identification, and became the first stegosaur ever named and described by scientists. The remains – the hip, a back leg and parts of the backbone of the creature – are considered a 'roadmap' for understanding what stegosaur looked like, and can still be seen in London. Sally and Neville Hollingworth spotted the vertebra being offered for sale. The pair said: 'We realised its importance straight away. When the Swindon Stegosaur was collected in the 19th century some of the original material ended up in private collections and we recognised that the vertebra offered for sale had come from the original site. 'We're delighted Museum & Art Swindon has put this truly unique find from the town on display and, hopefully, this will help raise awareness about the town's Jurassic past.' Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon borough council's cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said: 'Swindon was really important in the history of palaeontology and loads of important fossil hunters lived here or visited Swindon in the late 19th century to look for specimens. 'The stegosaur ignites the imagination of Swindonians of all ages, and it's fantastic that a piece of it is home.' The vertebra can be seen now at the museum's Swindon Rocks gallery.
