Monday, February 22

1949: Two pig sties, the property of Rev E G Courtman, Rector of Mildenhall, and rented by Messrs Clark and Barrow, were destroyed by fire. When the Marlborough detachment of the Wiltshire Fire Service arrived they found that the two pigs had effected their own escape.

1959: Work has begun on a new Methodist church at Queens Drive, Park South, Swindon. The church together with a hall and Manse will cost about £45,000. The building will be constructed of sandy coloured bricks and a feature of the church will be a 40ft high Cotswold stone tower.

1979: Lesley Judd from BBC's Blue Peter team lent a hand on the trains, during the filming of their visit to Swindon's British Rail works, to capture the King George V loco on film. Lesley will be leaving Blue Peter in April after seven years.

Tuesday, February 23

1949: Two families well known in the travelling show business world, were united by the wedding at St Barnabas Church, Swindon, of Arthur Studt and Queenie Edwards, from Ferndale Road, Swindon. The groom's family claims a connection with travelling fairs dating back some 400 years, originating in Wales, and the bride's family are well known in show business locally.

1959: The Croft Cup for the Best Dog in the Swindon and District Canine Society Show, held at the Drill Hall, in Church Place, was won by Rena of Batonsgrove, a two-year-old Alsatian, owned by Mrs A Coates of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

1979: Swindon's 3,000 civil servants put down their pens and mounted a 24-hour protest strike against the Government. Many of the town offices were shut as they walked out. The workers set up civilised picket lines in front of their offices in Swindon, and about 200 workers held a rally at the Wiltshire Hotel, to show their disgust at the Government's attitude to pay.

Wednesday, February 24

1949: The Moonrakers Choir entertained at a concert to raise money for the roof repairs fund, for The Prospect Method Church. The concert was held in the church hall and also featured a sketch by Leslie Wood and Len Fisher.

1959: South of Walcot Estate lies the Parks Estate, the 29-month-old baby of the Swindon expansion scheme. It will house 14,000 people and be the biggest neighbourhood in the development area. At its heart will be a new shopping centre, designed by Frederick Gibbard, uniting Park South and North.

1979: The giant cooling tower at Swindon's former power station is to be blown up. The massive 170ft high, reinforced concrete tower, weighing 1,300 tons, is to be demolished by two separate explosions. Klazon horns will sound before the blasts and the road will be closed.

Thursday, February 25

1949: Ambulance officer L G Love of York Road, Swindon Secretary of the Swindon Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade, was invested with the insignia of a serving Brother of the Order. He was invested by the Prior, Lord Walkerhouse at St John's Gate, London, the Chancery of the Order.

1959: Plans are far advanced for a new timber yard in Wiltshire, with a permanent saw mill. It is being built on the site of the James Davis Timber Ltd at Rushey Platt, Swindon. The firm has been established for more than 120 years and the new extension will give customers what they want.

1979: Swindon rock band XTC have found themselves a new man but it has resulted in a split for the fun loving band Dean Gabber and the Gabberdines. Guitarist Dave Gregory will be joining XTC. Dave will be joining just before they jet off on the planned second tour of America.

Friday, February 26

1949: Swindon GWR Male Voice Choir Co-operative and the West Country Studio Orchestra will be broadcast on the radio programme, Music of the Sea. Reginald Redman will conduct the orchestra and Mr G Morse the choir.

1959: Pinehurst Youth Centre has taken a leaf from Swindon Corporation's book, and is to run its own See Swindon By Bus service. It will run on Friday evenings with a 10-seater bus exclusively for old people. The venture was announced at a meeting of the Swindon Old People's Welfare Committee.

1979: Perched high above the Brunel Centre shoppers, is Cocky, the cockatoo, who hopped out of his cage and flew to freedom from the Brunel Plaza, where he was on display to promote the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Cocky's boss, keeper Simon Blackwell, has been called, but as yet he is still free.

Saturday, February 27

1949: The Secretary of State for Air, Arthur Henderson, accompanied by Flight Lieutenant H R Farney, inspected the Guard of Honour when he arrived at Lyneham's RAF Station.

1959: The Vicar of Wanborough the Rev W H Langmaid received 10 shillings for his sermon at the annual Dobbin Day service. Bread was distributed to the congregation and a Dobbin Day gift was given to needy widows in the parish. The Dobbin Day charity dates back to the 17th century and takes its name from the term dobbin, meaning small cottage loaf.

1979: The mayor of Thamesdown Coun Ashley Roberts made a big splash when he took the plunge, alongside a group of children, to mark the re-opening of the Milton Road Baths in Swindon. The baths have b