Monday, February 29

1949: About 100 people were present at a social evening given by Swindon artists at McIlroys Jacobean Restaurant. The programme included dancing, games and a concert by Jack Winter, baritone singer, Raymond Hatheral, tenor and Lorna Cantor a soprano.

1959: If bad weather threatens the Sunday Band Concerts in the Swindon Town Gardens, they will be held in the Town Hall. The extra cost will be about £8. There will be seven bands in concert including the Dagenham Girl Pipers.

1979: Planning permission for stage one of Swindon's long-awaited Cricklade Road relief road, including the proposed flyover, is up for approval at County Hall. Members of Wiltshire County Council Planning Sub Committee are to be told that stage one plans are generally welcomed by the public.

Tuesday, March 1

1949: After taking a good while for consideration, Nelson's Column is to replace the wartime John Bull as an indicator for the National Savings Progress in Swindon, as a stimulating and enduring effort. The heading of the new indicator, on the front of the town hall, reads: England expects Swindon to raise £1,500,000.

1959: The demolition of the Empire Theatre in Swindon is to begin this week, it was stated by Mr H Harris director of the London finance firm which has bought the building and its site. Ultra modern shops are planned for the site.

1980: Entertainment from both Swindon societies, The Phoenix Players and The Adastrians, delighted adjudicators at the third night of the Drama Festival held at the Arts Centre. Phoenix performance was Will The Real Jesus Christ Stand Up, produced by Ray Nash. The Adastrians presented A Slight Accident, produced by Richard Ashwell.

Wednesday, March 2

1949: Between 300 and 400 people failed to gain admission to the packed Wesleyan Church in Faringdon Road, Swindon, to hear the Luton Girls' Choir. The choir is one of the best known, and has broadcast on many occasions and raised more than £10,000 for charity.

1959: Nearly 40 children, from railway employees, including one girl from Carmarthen, competed in the 4th annual children's dance festival at the Little Theatre, British Rail Staff Association, in Swindon. It was organised in conjunction with the festival of music and drama. John Tanner, pianist accompanied the dancers.

1980: A Blunsdon housewife came to the rescue of Prince Charles after he fell off his horse and broke his reins. The prince took a practice leap at a fence in Collingwood near Kemble. The horse stumbled and Prince Charles went a purler. Steward Gilly Ashe of Grains Farm, Blunsdon, was riding by. She lent Prince Charles her reins, managing herself with some string, so he could ride off with the Vale of White Horse Cross Country team.

Thursday, March 3

1949: Jane, the cartoon girl and favourite of the Services, along with her little dog Fritzi, is appearing at the Empire Theatre in Swindon this week. The pin-up girl of all the armed forces has proved a big hit in Swindon too.

1959: An initial plan for a relief road through Shivenham was refused and called a 'crazy scheme' at the parish meeting in the Memorial Hall. Parish Council chairman Major E E Williams said he hoped the scheme was out for ever. Berkshire County Council has advanced a further scheme - for a bypass.

1980: Former teacher Eileen Dowden has set up her own confidential Telex service from her tiny spare bedroom in Harley Grove, Swindon. She relays messages all over the world for business firms and private customers. She even occasionally transmits personal messages with a touch of romance and admits she gets chatted up herself.

Friday, March 4

1949: Mr T Reid MP for Swindon asked the House of Commons to relieve the shortage of woollen stockings in Swindon. Whereas woollen stockings came in to Swindon by the thousand pre war days they are arriving in mere handfuls today. So acute is the shortage that the new Swindon Co-op Society received only seven dozen during the winter for its 23,000 purchasing members.

1959: Ald F D Jefford will the first mayor of Swindon to have accepted an invitation to hold office by the light of an emergency hand lamp. At the private meeting of the council a heavy clock also caused chaos. Sitting on the front of the public gallery it suddenly crashed to the floor of the council chamber, luckily no one was standing underneath. After the councillors had all agreed on the choice of the next mayor there was a blackout as all the lights failed and emergency lighting had to be found.

1980: A huge £10m development is to be built on a 15-acre site at Swindon's Westlea Down. An unknown European company is providing a total of 368 jobs for the town. Thamesdown Council's planning committee is recommended to approve the 300,000 sq ft of warehouse and office space.

Saturday, March 5

1949: Embarking on a career as a mannequinn less than a year ago, Cynthia Butler, 21, of Downs View Road, Swindon, has quickly risen to the top of her profession and is keenly sought by many top London leading fashion houses. Cynthia returns to her home town this week to model for Madam Joylyn's parade at the Goddard Arms Hotel.

1959: Jack Carter from Cumberland Road, Swindon, a well known choreographer and ballet dancer has just returned from Stockholm where he was invited to put on a ballet for the Royal Swedish Ballet. He is now collaborating with Noel Coward on a project. Noel is writing the music for his new ballet.

1980: Col Clyde Dunn made a landing in perfect weather in his plane but then had to dive for cover. Fellow officers from the 11th Strategic Command RAF Fairford gave him a traditional send off for his new post. In true USAF style a fire truck was waiting for him to land and they then turned the water hoses on him.