Railway Village

Upcoming events at Railway Village

Community

GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country | SHP Talk by Mary Thornton

GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country Swindon Heritage Preservation is pleased to present GWR Volunteer Rifles – For Queen and Country, a richly illustrated talk by historian Mary Thornton. This fascinating event explores a lesser-known aspect of Britain’s military and railway history, focusing on the Volunteer Rifle movement and its connection to the Great Western Railway. The Story Behind the GWR Volunteer Rifles Mary Thornton’s talk examines the origins of Britain’s Volunteer Rifle movement and explains why it emerged during the nineteenth century. In particular, the talk looks at how railway companies such as the Great Western Railway became involved. For a company built around skilled industrial workers, volunteering brought both opportunity and challenge. The talk explores what it meant in practice for GWR men to serve as volunteer soldiers. This includes their equipment, training routines, and the expectations placed upon them. In addition, Mary discusses the true “calling” of the Rifle Volunteers and the serious role they were intended to play in national defence. Attitudes, Humour, and Public Perception Although the Volunteer Rifles served an important purpose, public attitudes towards them were often mixed. Therefore, the talk also looks at how Rifle Volunteers were portrayed at the time. Satire, humour, and social commentary frequently poked fun at this form of soldiering, even while recognising its patriotic intent.

Thu 30 Apr19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

Crafters De-stash Sale

Crafters De-stash Sale in Swindon Give your stash a new home at the Crafters De-stash Sale, a community event in Swindon dedicated to sharing and rediscovering craft supplies. Join us for a relaxed and friendly morning of browsing pre-loved fabric, yarn, buttons, tools, and more. Whether you are looking to clear out your craft room or find inspiration for your next project, the Crafters De-stash Sale is the perfect place to start. This event is ideal for anyone interested in sewing, knitting, crafting, or upcycling materials, offering a sustainable way to reuse and repurpose quality supplies. Find Materials and Inspiration The Crafters De-stash brings together local makers, hobbyists, and creatives from across Swindon. Visitors can explore a wide range of affordable materials, while sellers have the opportunity to pass on unused supplies to a new home. By taking part in the Crafters De-stash, you are also supporting a more sustainable approach to crafting—helping reduce waste while giving materials a second life. You can expect to find: Fabric and textiles Yarn and knitting supplies Buttons and haberdashery Craft tools and equipment A variety of creative materials Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, there is always something new to discover. Crafters De-stash Sale Event Details Event: Crafters De-stash Sale Date: Saturday 16th May Time: 11:00 – 13:00 Location: Central Community Centre, Emlyn Square, Swindon SN1 5BP The venue is centrally...

Sat 16 May11:00Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'The Missing Pieces Project' by Gareth Powell

Gareth Powell from Historic England talks about The Missing Pieces Project. All over England are places with stories to tell: from buildings to battlefields, some on your doorstep, others just a day trip away. Their stories are still being written, and they won’t be complete until you share your side. The Missing Pieces Project invites you to share your pictures and stories of the unique, significant and memorable places on the National Heritage List for England (otherwise known as ‘the List’). The List is a register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites across England. Why not join us June 11th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits. Full Membership only costs £12 per year! You can learn more about Membership here (https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/membership/). Getting to Emlyn Square Bakers’ Café is at 16 Emlyn Square (SN1 5BN) at the heart of Swindon’s Railway Village. You can view the location on Google Maps here. It is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. There are several car parks available around the Railway Village. We recommend Bristol Street Car Park for it’s proximity to Emlyn Square.

Thu 11 Jun19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'Swindon's Heritage As Lived Experience' by Adeola Ojoawo

Dr. Ojoawo is a senior change, culture, and communication specialist with over a decade of experience leading transformation programs across the UK, Europe, and Africa. Holding a PhD alongside qualifications in Business Strategy and Leadership, she combines professional rigor with a human-centric approach. Her work focuses on how individuals and communities navigate change, utilizing her background in public relations and research to connect lived experiences with social history in a way that is insightful and accessible. This talk moves beyond Swindon’s physical landmarks and institutions to explore heritage through the lens of lived experience. Dr. Ojoawo will examine how the town’s identity has been shaped by everyday relationships, neighbourhood life, and the often-overlooked contributions of women and diverse communities. By highlighting the “unseen” networks of care and work that sustain the town, the session reveals how ordinary people create extraordinary heritage through resilience. The talk will connect these historical patterns of adaptation to the present day, offering lessons on how to navigate modern change.

Thu 16 Jul19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'GWR Girls Talk and Book Launch' by Jane Lark

Swindon’s Secret History: Jane Lark & The GWR Girls Step back into the 1940s and discover the untold stories of the women who kept the tracks running. Join best-selling author Jane Lark for an evening dedicated to the resilience, romance, and grit of the Great Western Railway girls during WWII. From the chaos of the Dunkirk return to the arrival of American GIs in Swindon, Jane will dive into the historical research behind her beloved series and share what life was really like on the home front. The Books Jane will be signing copies after the talk. Whether you are starting the journey or catching up on the drama, the following titles will be available: Book 1: The Great Western Railway (GWR) Girls – The outbreak of war. Book 2: The GWR Girls Do Their Bit – The aftermath of Dunkirk. Book 3: Heartbreak for The GWR Girls – Swindon under attack. Book 4: Christmas Wishes for The GWR Girls – The Americans arrive in town. Ticket & Book Bundles Save by planning ahead! Pre-order to secure your copy at a special event rate. Pre-order with Ticket: £6.00 per book Purchase on the Night: £7.50 per book Note: Jane will be available for a dedicated signing session immediately following the presentation. Why not join us August 13th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits.

Thu 13 Aug19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'Moonies, Movers and Shakers.' by Graham Carter

Moonies, Movers & Shakers, by Graham Carter Moonies, Movers and Shakers is an illustrated talk about a book of the same name, written by Swindon local historians Noel Ponting and Graham Carter. When they looked into an association for former Swindon railwaymen who moved to London, they made some surprising discoveries: remarkable (but previously untold) stories of leading Wiltshiremen (aka ‘Moonies’) and a fresh insight into social life in the early 20th century. Why not join us on August 27th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits. Full Membership only costs £12 per year! You can learn more about Membership here (https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/membership/). Getting to Emlyn Square Bakers’ Café is at 16 Emlyn Square (SN1 5BN) at the heart of Swindon’s Railway Village. You can view the location on Google Maps here. It is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. There are several car parks available around the Railway Village. We recommend Bristol Street Car Park for it’s proximity to Emlyn Square.

Thu 27 Aug19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'Three Painters and a Sculptor' by Philip Garrahan

Three painters and a sculptor by Philip Garrahan is an illustrated talk featuring works from the heyday of Swindon’s artistic life. This was the interwar period when the School of Art thrived under new leadership and an exciting generation of young artists were attracting attention. Why not join us September 10th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits. Full Membership only costs £12 per year! You can learn more about Membership here (https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/membership/). Getting to Emlyn Square Bakers’ Café is at 16 Emlyn Square (SN1 5BN) at the heart of Swindon’s Railway Village. You can view the location on Google Maps here. It is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. There are several car parks available around the Railway Village. We recommend Bristol Street Car Park for it’s proximity to Emlyn Square.

Thu 10 Sept19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'The Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust' by Chloe Ford

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is a dedicated charity committed to a massive undertaking: restoring 70 miles of canal and towpath for the benefit of local communities, wildlife, and leisure enthusiasts. Restoring a Historic Waterway Their mission is to restore the full length of this historic canal, reconnecting the waterways from Wiltshire, through the heart of Swindon, and continuing into Oxfordshire. This project preserves the industrial heritage while adapting it for modern use. Why not join us September 17th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits. Full Membership only costs £12 per year! You can learn more about Membership here (https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/membership/). Getting to Emlyn Square Bakers’ Café is at 16 Emlyn Square (SN1 5BN) at the heart of Swindon’s Railway Village. You can view the location on Google Maps here. It is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. There are several car parks available around the Railway Village. We recommend Bristol Street Car Park for it’s proximity to Emlyn Square.

Thu 17 Sept19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

Heritage Open Days 2026

Join us to celebrate Heritage Open Days 2026 on Saturday 19th September in Swindon’s historic Railway Village! The theme this year is “Everyday Histories of Working Lives”. With a range of FREE activities you’re set to discover and learn about the Village’s past, present and future. All told through our heritage buildings and dedicated volunteers. Witness the sights of local community life and how it’s changed as time has gone on. We will also be presenting “Meet The Smiths” in the Railway Village Museum featuring new characters and their stories of what life was like in Swindon in 1901. The Cricketers’ View the newly renovated ground floor at The Cricketers’ Arms, a Grade II listed building being brought back into community use. Built in 1846, The Cricketers’ originally operated as a pub and flats from 1859 until its closure in 2015. Join us between 10 AM and 4 PM for display showcasing information about the history of the building and the restoration project currently in progress. Location: The Cricketers’, 14 Emlyn Square, Swindon, SN1 5BN | You can view the location on Google Maps here. The Bakers’ Open between 10 AM and 4 PM, The Bakers’ Café will be serving cake and refreshments in return for a small donation. Formerly a Bakery, then converted to the Bakers Arms Pub, the building was restored by Swindon Heritage Preservation and now operates as a cosy community space.

Sat 19 Sept10:00Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'The Story of Thomas Richard Guppy' by Gordon Shaw

The story of Thomas Richard Guppy who was a great friend of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and a fellow engineer who helped Brunel with the GWR, SS Great Western & SS Great Britain. The presentation gives the family history and the exploits of Thomas from birth in Bristol to his death in Italy. He has a link to Swindon as he owned land in Rodbourne and  also sold land for the GWR Works to expand. Why not join us October 8th 2026 at 7:30 PM at the Bakers’ Café? Cost Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) Full Members – FREE Entry Guests – £5.00 Entry Membership Becoming a SHP Full Member gives you full FREE access to our series of talks, along with many other benefits. Full Membership only costs £12 per year! You can learn more about Membership here (https://mechanics-trust.org.uk/membership/). Getting to Emlyn Square Bakers’ Café is at 16 Emlyn Square (SN1 5BN) at the heart of Swindon’s Railway Village. You can view the location on Google Maps here. It is easily accessible by train and bus, with the Central Bus Station just a short walk away. There are several car parks available around the Railway Village. We recommend Bristol Street Car Park for it’s proximity to Emlyn Square.

Thu 8 Oct19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Community

'The North Wessex Way' by David Mitchell

The North Wessex Way was rediscovered by David Robertson Mitchell, a local historian living near Malmesbury. ‘My wife and I were in Hay on Wye for our wedding anniversary in 2014. I have always loved old maps and I came across the Ogilby map in an old map shop. I saw that the route must run past where I lived, on roads that I knew were just country lanes.  I mentioned this to Jackie and then thought nothing more of it until September that year, when she gave me the map as my 50th birthday present. I started investigating the route and gradually uncovered the fascinating history that has taken place along it, all the way back to the Iron Age. I also discovered the reason why the middle section of the route become forgotten after the arrival of the Turnpike roads and the actions of two dodgy Members of Parliament. I decided the road needed a name, and after looking at various options, I settled on calling it The North Wessex Way’. The North Wessex Way was the main route from Oxford to Bristol for three thousand years until it became The Forgotten Road. Today, the route consists mainly of A roads and B roads. But the 22 mile long section between Blunsdon and Luckington, in the middle of the route, has been forgotten.

Thu 3 Dec19:30Railway Village

via Railway Village

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.