A POSSIBLE new future for the crumbling Mechanics’ Institute was among our big stories this week 13 years ago.

An artist’s impression on our front page looked suspiciously like the familiar landmark with a rectangular glass-faced high-rise casually attached.

Much to the horror of many Adver readers, that was more or less the extent of the proposal.

“Plans submitted to Swindon Council,” we said, “could turn the town’s decaying Mechanics’ Institute into a futuristic hotel.

“The 1930s brick tower in the middle of the Grade II Listed building could become a shimmering glass structure.

“Other parts of the building, which sits in the heart of Swindon’s historic Railway Village, could be repaired, restored and turned into flats, a restaurant and a health and fitness club.

“The plans were submitted just 13 weeks after councillors granted Mechanics’ owner Mathew Singh permission for a change of use.”

London-based entrepreneur Mr Singh told us: “If Brunel was around today I’m sure he would approve of these futuristic plans.”

The scheme proved so controversial that it came to nothing, and some years later the council had to step in and make emergency repairs to the roof.

Only the previous day, we had updated readers on what turned out to be another castle in the air: a new University of Bath campus in Swindon. The university wanted to build at Coate near Great Western Hospital; critics of the scheme claimed there were plenty of suitable brownfield sites, and that there was no need to put yet more of the beautiful green space under concrete and brick.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills, who would leave office in 2010 and become a peer, became the latest public figure to step into the row.

“Time is running out,” he said.

“If something isn’t finalised pretty promptly, then I can’t see the Government funding a university elsewhere and we shall look stupid and I shall be sickened.”

The University of Bath failed to get its way. It subsequently pulled the plug not only on the idea of a new campus for Swindon, but also on the one it already had at the former Oakfield School site in Walcot.

The remaining green space at Coate was safe from the attentions of developers – for the moment.

Also in transport news, a train service had expansions disrupted due to badgers on the line. Some of the creatures were big – about half the size of the locomotives, in fact.

Mercifully, Swindon wasn’t in the midst of some 1950s nuclear sci-fi nightmare, as the railway in question was run by the North Wilts Model Engineering Society.

Plans to extend its popular ride-on visitor attraction at Coate Water through nearby woodland had a spanner thrown in the works by the discovery of a sett.

Strict conservation laws meant the badgers – to be fair, they were there first – took priority.

The cheery and determined miniature railway enthusiasts accepted the situation with compassion and understanding. They vowed to push ahead with an alternative route which didn’t involve any badger-bothering.

Society membership secretary Dave Jenner said: “One of the difficulties is that with railways you cannot have right angled turns – there have to be curves.

“But we will find a way.”

They did just that, and today the railway is more popular then ever.

Havelock Square nightclub The Apartment gave a live spot to a young jazz singer who had appeared there a year earlier.

The performer had done quite well for himself during the intervening 12 months.

We wrote: “What a difference a year makes – that was how Jamie Cullum felt as he returned home for Christmas.

“The internationally-renowned jazz singer and pianist, more used to playing grand theatre halls in New York and London, returned to the more humble environs of The Apartment yesterday for an intimate and emotional festive gig – his last of the year.

“And the proceeds of the show – some £1,250 – will be donated to the BBC Children in Need Appeal.”

Jamie, who grew up in Grittleton, told an Adver reporter: “It was like all the people who have supported me and are following my career have turned up and that was perfect.

“It’s been an amazing year and coming back to the place where it all started just rounded it off nicely.”

An even more successful local boy made good also spoke to the Adver during one of his regular return visits.

Gilbert O’Sullivan, who did much of his growing up in Swindon before becoming an international star balladeer in the 1970s and 1980s, was in Swindon to catch up with friends and loved ones.

He said: “I’m Irish by birth and proud of my Irish roots, but all my memories are of being brought up in Swindon.

“I come home as often as I can.

“Swindon is where we were brought up, and it will always be the most important place.”