Swindon Wide The surprising history of Kingsdown
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Kingsdown House in the 1940s - photo courtesy of The Swindon Society Although it’s not a place you would normally expect to host a birthday party, we were all invited to one at Kingsdown Crematorium on Saturday, 23 April. It was an open day to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the crematorium, and included tours of its inner workings and a service. There was also a talk by Graham Carter, editor of Swindon Heritage magazine, about the history of the site. “I suppose you could say it is dead interesting,” said Graham. “And because not much has previously been published about the site’s past, there are a few surprises.” The crematorium buildings stand precisely on the site of the former Kingsdown House, while the grounds, including the recently opened cemetery, were once the house’s estate. With the crematorium’s anniversary imminent, Swindon Heritage were approached because staff wanted to find out more about what was there previously, and the history was sketchy. “Surprisingly little has been published about the site and the people who lived there,” said Graham. “There is an even more surprising lack of photos, especially
considering the house was only demolished just before the crematorium was built in 1966.” The team enlisted the help of Clive Carter of Wiltshire Buildings Record, who wrote a series of farm histories for the magazine, and his specialist knowledge of farming turned out to be especially useful on this project. Graham added: “In recent centuries, the story of Kingsdown House was really the story of Kingsdown Farm but there are international connections too. “We also found that what became a quiet country estate and is now a place we associate with tranquility has been a hive of activity over thousands of years. The crematorium is half a century old, but the story of its location really begins way back when Britain was still attached to the European mainland, which you can find out about in the next Swindon Heritage edition. “It just goes to show that even when it looks like there may not be much to find, there is always treasure, just waiting to be discovered.” As well as the talk, the story of Kingsdown House will also feature in the summer edition of Swindon Heritage, to be published at the end of May.
Tony Hillier, Independent on 5 May New Initiatives need novel tactics
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Events in aid of Prospect Hospice l On Friday 6 May a tribute and comedy night will take place at Legend’s Lounge at Swindon Town Football Club from 7pm to 1am in aid of Prospect Hospice. There will be comedy from Arnold Gutbucket, and all the best of Frankie Valli from Stars in Their Eyes 2015 winner, Peter Sarsfield. Tickets cost £12.50 from 07796 137770. l A concert will be held at Purton Village Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday 7 May with Chedworth Silver Band and The Purton Peartree Pealers. Tickets cost £6 and include a glass of wine. Call 01793 771572 or buy a ticket on the door. l Emi Mazzotta of hairdressers
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