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Is there hope for Mechanics' Institute?
7:16pm Friday 16th May 2008
Comments (63)A CONFUSING draft bill presented by Gordon Brown this week could safeguard the future of the Mechanics' Institute.
That is according to South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove, who raised matter of the Swindon landmark in Parliament.
But the owner of the building and a member of the New Mechanics' Trust are unsure about what the Bill will do.
Addressing the Prime Minister on Wednesday after the unveiling of the draft Heritage Protection Bill, Mrs Snelgrove said she hoped the bill would help safeguard the grade II*-listed building.
She said: "Would his proposals to protect historic buildings help the Mechanics' Institute in Swindon, which is in private hands, and is a crumbling but beautiful building we seek to protect?
"Will he help us by ensuring that people who are private owners of such buildings are included in that protection?"
Mr Brown said the Government would look at what they could do.
But Mechanics Institute owner Mathew Singh said he was mystified as to how the Bill, which seeks to give more power to English Heritage and improve accessibility to the public, among other things, would be useful to him.
"I welcome any mention in Parliament of what I am trying to do with the Mechanics', but I'm not sure how this is good for me," he said.
"English Heritage say don't do this, don't do this, but the building is crumbling."
Martha Parry, a member of the New Mechanics' Trust, said: "Anything that makes enforcement of maintenance of this property a priority would be a good thing.
"The Mechanics' has suffered from 20 years of negligent ownership - the fabric of the building has been neglected. We have sent an email to Anne Snelgrove asking what she meant by her question, and its reference to private owners."
Mrs Snelgrove said: "The draft legislation gives provision to strengthen the law regarding listed buildings.
"What I'm concerned about is that buildings in private ownership should be provided for in this bill.
"The Mechanics' Institute is owned privately and while the owner is waiting for planning permission the building is deteriorating."
Your Say YourSwindon
Captain Sensible, Near Swindon says...
8:19pm Fri 16 May 08
No.
malkym, says...
8:23pm Fri 16 May 08
To answer your question - Yes There is Bob Hope and no hope NUKE IT NOW!!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
8:31pm Fri 16 May 08
Change the bloody record Malkym!
Well at least Anne asked, fair play, she has gone up slightly in my estimations for that. I wish they would sort it out. Seeing that beautiful building in such a state breaks my heart. Let's sort it for our kids!
Well at least Anne asked, fair play, she has gone up slightly in my estimations for that. I wish they would sort it out. Seeing that beautiful building in such a state breaks my heart. Let's sort it for our kids!
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
9:16pm Fri 16 May 08
Mumstheword perhaps the SBC planners should let the owner do something with it. after all SBC never wanted it.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
9:25pm Fri 16 May 08
What like that glass monstrosity?! Noooooo!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
9:27pm Fri 16 May 08
Arrrrgghhh! This subject really stresses me. I so wish I was loaded! I would gladly buy it, it's such a beautiful building and such an important piece of our past.
kyoceran, swindon says...
10:17pm Fri 16 May 08
This decaying , eyesore, that was never maintained in its hay day would be best consigned to demolition, thus releasing a small plot of Swindon for a use to be selected by the whole community, yes it could be the termini of the Waste water scheme, knock down the houses of anybody in favour of the scheme who reside in the area, simple: two birds killed with one stone.Will the people who dwell on a less than pleasant past remember that redevelopment on a community basis can be a change for good, rather than a haphazard preservation of a building only of sentimetalistic value to a few, this is part of Swindon, not the Railway works. If we continue on this basis, how long before we have a Honda canteen or an Allied Zurich building placed under a preservation order due to their historical value for the future well being of Swindon.The great thing about Swindon, is it does not live for yesterday, the people who choose to live in Swindon chose it not for its History , but for its future.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
10:23pm Fri 16 May 08
If we continue on this basis, how long before we have a Honda canteen or an Allied Zurich building placed under a preservation order due to their historical value for the future well being of Swindon
Anybody who could compare the Mechanics Institute to Honda Canteen must be surely lacking in the understanding of history and great beauty.
Anybody who could compare the Mechanics Institute to Honda Canteen must be surely lacking in the understanding of history and great beauty.
kyoceran, swindon says...
10:35pm Fri 16 May 08
I use to frequent the Mechanics when it was open, it was a decaying monstrosity then, why inflict another dose of this on people who don't care what happens to it, this is old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses with no regard for the financial implications, except they know full well it will be the ratepayers of Swindon who at every turn will be landed with paying an exhorbitant rates increase so to satisfy their selfish ideal, of preserving an old ruin, the reference to other companies shows these people are narrow minded and believe the railway is the only contributor to the development of Swindon, they sadly live in the past, cannot see the advancement of Swindon by Honda, Intel,Motorola, Nationwide,and many other worthy contributors, The Railway left Swindon many years ago, these are the drivers of Swindons present and future well being, so whats wrong with applauding the achievements of others and getting Swindon for once and all away from narrow rut these people have developed.Remember this town has doubled in size since the railways closed, this says something about the citizens and their right to speak of other things other than Railway nostalgia
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
8:21am Sat 17 May 08
Mumstheword, the fact remains however much a history this building has, it has only been relatively recently that anyone has bothered about, SBC still can't be bothered. As I've posted previously with SBC planners they are quick to say no to something but rarely come up with constructive alternatives as in the case of the Mechanics.
Frontier(s), says...
9:13am Sat 17 May 08
So, Snelgrove asked a vague question and NuBruin have an even more vague answer.
Nothing will happen.
Have readers not yet realised that Labour have simply gone on a massive local MP 'charm' offensive and PR exercise this week since being roundly thrashed in the recent local elections?
Have you not noticed how Snelgrove (and it'll the same with all Labour MPs up and down the country) have suddenly forgotten about Japanese whales and stray dogs and are now getting direct questions to the Prime Minister about specific local isses (of which, of course, he knows absolutely nothing about)?
Come on people, this is Labour we're talking about, surely you're not falling for this obvious con trick?
They don't care and have never cared. They won't listen and have never listened.
The past 11 years have proven that beyond all doubt. A few pointless questions a week after the party, and NuBruin, hit their lowest ever rating score will not change that.
Nothing will happen.
Have readers not yet realised that Labour have simply gone on a massive local MP 'charm' offensive and PR exercise this week since being roundly thrashed in the recent local elections?
Have you not noticed how Snelgrove (and it'll the same with all Labour MPs up and down the country) have suddenly forgotten about Japanese whales and stray dogs and are now getting direct questions to the Prime Minister about specific local isses (of which, of course, he knows absolutely nothing about)?
Come on people, this is Labour we're talking about, surely you're not falling for this obvious con trick?
They don't care and have never cared. They won't listen and have never listened.
The past 11 years have proven that beyond all doubt. A few pointless questions a week after the party, and NuBruin, hit their lowest ever rating score will not change that.
Innocent Onlooker, North swindon says...
10:47am Sat 17 May 08
knock it down.. build some flats
Frontier(s), says...
10:56am Sat 17 May 08
And in tomorrow's press release from the office of Anne Snelgrove:
"Maybe Gordon Brown could hold a meeting at the Mechanics Institute"
"Maybe Gordon Brown could hold a meeting at the Mechanics Institute"
GetAJob, Swindon says...
12:02pm Sat 17 May 08
Kyoceran - do you really despise the past so much? Do you not realise that without the railway there wouldn't have been a town here at all?
The likes of Honda and Zurich have got a long way to go before you can even begin to compare their contribution to the town to that of the railway. Seeing that the rail works began in 1840 and closed in 1986 that represents 146 years of employment alone in the town. Honda only started here in the late 80s and Zurich in the early 80s. That adds up to less than 60 years for both. They might have done some good for the town but don't forget we are living in a different age with different skills needed for work. You can't just write off an age that depended on foundrymen, wheelwrights, silversmiths, carriage builders, signal men - the list is almost endless.
It wasn't just the works - the railway brought the GWR Medical Fund and Hospital, the Childrens' Party in Faringdon Road Park, "Trip Week" (paid for by the railway - do Honda pay for their employees' holidays? No) and the construction of hundreds of "cottages" for the workers to live in. St Mark's Church as well as the Mechanics' Institute were born out of the railway. Yes - the Institute has gone into a sad decline and I used to be a member years ago. I would love to see it restored and I know it would cost a fortune - but I would rather look at that than the ugly mess that is the TriCentre near the bus station.
The likes of Honda and Zurich have got a long way to go before you can even begin to compare their contribution to the town to that of the railway. Seeing that the rail works began in 1840 and closed in 1986 that represents 146 years of employment alone in the town. Honda only started here in the late 80s and Zurich in the early 80s. That adds up to less than 60 years for both. They might have done some good for the town but don't forget we are living in a different age with different skills needed for work. You can't just write off an age that depended on foundrymen, wheelwrights, silversmiths, carriage builders, signal men - the list is almost endless.
It wasn't just the works - the railway brought the GWR Medical Fund and Hospital, the Childrens' Party in Faringdon Road Park, "Trip Week" (paid for by the railway - do Honda pay for their employees' holidays? No) and the construction of hundreds of "cottages" for the workers to live in. St Mark's Church as well as the Mechanics' Institute were born out of the railway. Yes - the Institute has gone into a sad decline and I used to be a member years ago. I would love to see it restored and I know it would cost a fortune - but I would rather look at that than the ugly mess that is the TriCentre near the bus station.
john c, swindon says...
12:25pm Sat 17 May 08
It would be great if Mathew Singh could get agreement for a suitable redevelopment of the Mechanics' Institute but if this can not be arranged then it should just be knocked down and the site sold for development.
Do something about it, do not just leave it to rot and fester.
Do something about it, do not just leave it to rot and fester.
alan, Swindon says...
3:37pm Sat 17 May 08
Matthew Singh offers Swindon nothing. We need development, hotels, flats etc. but there are plenty of suitable sites for this in Swindon that aren't in a building which is purpose built to provide so much else that Swindon also needs. Mr Singh has taken a risk on buying this property for development and its failed because his plans have not, will not and can not be approved. If he cares so much for Swindon as he claimed, why he is now so bitterly stopping progress in it being developed for other purposes.
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
3:38pm Sat 17 May 08
Nae Bevin, once said that, to initiate The National Healt Service, he just copied what had been done in Swindon (100 years previously), and nationalise it.
Every working class person now has an annual holiday, their children are educated (?), and their health and safety are looked after.
The Mechanics' was a flagship for these and many other reforms, which we now take for granted (though some of them seem to be slipping)
The building, as a structural symbol of good ethics should be saved, but that does not mean it should be buried under a modern sky scraper, by a selfish greedy developer.
Every working class person now has an annual holiday, their children are educated (?), and their health and safety are looked after.
The Mechanics' was a flagship for these and many other reforms, which we now take for granted (though some of them seem to be slipping)
The building, as a structural symbol of good ethics should be saved, but that does not mean it should be buried under a modern sky scraper, by a selfish greedy developer.
Frontier(s), says...
6:18pm Sat 17 May 08
Nae Bevin, once said that, to initiate The National Healt Service, he just copied what had been done in Swindon (100 years previously), and nationalise it.
Which may explain why it's been the expensive disaster that it has been.
Every working class person now has an annual holiday, their children are educated (?), and their health and safety are looked after.
You do live in the UK, right? Our children are worse educated than before organised education existed and more children get murdered on our streets than at any time on record.
You paint this country as some kind of socialist 'success'.
The reality is so far from that as to be untrue. In fact, the only half decent progresses this country has made have not been made under Labour governments at all.
Donkey, Swindon says...
7:57pm Sat 17 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor wrote:Ignore the denials, ITCBAC, certain people pine for the old days of ruling classes and peasants ... goodness knows why ... he, the same as the masses, has benefitted from life as we know it yet hates the system because of it!
Nae Bevin, once said that, to initiate The National Healt Service, he just copied what had been done in Swindon (100 years previously), and nationalise it. Every working class person now has an annual holiday, their children are educated (?), and their health and safety are looked after. The Mechanics' was a flagship for these and many other reforms, which we now take for granted (though some of them seem to be slipping) The building, as a structural symbol of good ethics should be saved, but that does not mean it should be buried under a modern sky scraper, by a selfish greedy developer.
Long live Socialism ... Viva La Revolution ... hooray for The Tolpuddle Martyrs ... Bravo The Jarrow Lads!!!
Money For The Mechanics Institute, not the slowly sinking farcical canal project.
Swindon's past IS The Great Western Railway ... the MI should be preserved as a shrine to Works ever being in the town.
Frontier(s), says...
10:20pm Sat 17 May 08
Good lord, to read Donkey's nonsense you'd think we have Labour to thank for life itself.
What utter nonsense.
What utter nonsense.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
11:19pm Sat 17 May 08
Actually some of what Donkey has said here makes sense to me, the last paragraph particularly
Donkey said:
Swindon's past IS The Great Western Railway ... the MI should be preserved as a shrine to Works ever being in the town.
Donkey said:
Swindon's past IS The Great Western Railway ... the MI should be preserved as a shrine to Works ever being in the town.
Jason, says...
1:45am Sun 18 May 08
Frontier(s) Wrote
So they are worse educated than they were before they were educated??
So your posts are not even aimed at what might be a heritage asset to the town, just a continuing, repeating hole picking session about Labour.
Like a broken record
Our children are worse educated than before organised education existed and more children get murdered on our streets than at any time on record.
So they are worse educated than they were before they were educated??
The reality is so far from that as to be untrue. In fact, the only half decent progresses this country has made have not been made under Labour governments at all.
So your posts are not even aimed at what might be a heritage asset to the town, just a continuing, repeating hole picking session about Labour.
Like a broken record
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
2:23am Sun 18 May 08
ForeFront Maciers wrote
I think you'll find that the reforms that the Mechanics' Institute gave to society existed long before this Labour government, butyour so obsessed at pinning everyhing on Labour that you haven't taken into account that the building went up in about 1850.
We've had quite a few other governments elected in that space of time.
The building was even paid for, indirectly by the working classes, because they wanted a better society.
If you really want a better society than we have at present, you could do a lot worse than changing your own broken record and consider saving the very essence of society building.
The Mechanics' is not just a building. It is probably one of the greatest examples that this country could use to iniate a better freindlier, more cooperative society.
Sometimes it's better to look back at history repeating itself, to engineer a better future.
The only thing you want to repeat is Labour this Labour that, I blame Labour.
Ironic that you don't find it amusing when I do it.
You do live in the UK, right? Our children are worse educated than before organised education existed and more children get murdered on our streets than at any time on record.
The reality is so far from that as to be untrue. In fact, the only half decent progresses this country has made have not been made under Labour governments at all.
I think you'll find that the reforms that the Mechanics' Institute gave to society existed long before this Labour government, butyour so obsessed at pinning everyhing on Labour that you haven't taken into account that the building went up in about 1850.
We've had quite a few other governments elected in that space of time.
The building was even paid for, indirectly by the working classes, because they wanted a better society.
If you really want a better society than we have at present, you could do a lot worse than changing your own broken record and consider saving the very essence of society building.
The Mechanics' is not just a building. It is probably one of the greatest examples that this country could use to iniate a better freindlier, more cooperative society.
Sometimes it's better to look back at history repeating itself, to engineer a better future.
The only thing you want to repeat is Labour this Labour that, I blame Labour.
Ironic that you don't find it amusing when I do it.
Grumpy, Swindon says...
9:16am Sun 18 May 08
GetAJob wrote:Well said, I couldn't agree more.
Kyoceran - do you really despise the past so much? Do you not realise that without the railway there wouldn't have been a town here at all?
The likes of Honda and Zurich have got a long way to go before you can even begin to compare their contribution to the town to that of the railway. Seeing that the rail works began in 1840 and closed in 1986 that represents 146 years of employment alone in the town. Honda only started here in the late 80s and Zurich in the early 80s. That adds up to less than 60 years for both. They might have done some good for the town but don't forget we are living in a different age with different skills needed for work. You can't just write off an age that depended on foundrymen, wheelwrights, silversmiths, carriage builders, signal men - the list is almost endless.
It wasn't just the works - the railway brought the GWR Medical Fund and Hospital, the Childrens' Party in Faringdon Road Park, "Trip Week" (paid for by the railway - do Honda pay for their employees' holidays? No) and the construction of hundreds of "cottages" for the workers to live in. St Mark's Church as well as the Mechanics' Institute were born out of the railway. Yes - the Institute has gone into a sad decline and I used to be a member years ago. I would love to see it restored and I know it would cost a fortune - but I would rather look at that than the ugly mess that is the TriCentre near the bus station.
Grumpy, Swindon says...
9:19am Sun 18 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:It's no worse than the rubbish you churn out on a daily basis.
Good lord, to read Donkey's nonsense you'd think we have Labour to thank for life itself.
What utter nonsense.
Frontier(s), says...
10:21am Sun 18 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor wrote:I blame Labour and Pissimmon homes.
ForeFront Maciers wroteYou do live in the UK, right? Our children are worse educated than before organised education existed and more children get murdered on our streets than at any time on record. The reality is so far from that as to be untrue. In fact, the only half decent progresses this country has made have not been made under Labour governments at all.I think you'll find that the reforms that the Mechanics' Institute gave to society existed long before this Labour government, butyour so obsessed at pinning everyhing on Labour that you haven't taken into account that the building went up in about 1850. We've had quite a few other governments elected in that space of time. The building was even paid for, indirectly by the working classes, because they wanted a better society. If you really want a better society than we have at present, you could do a lot worse than changing your own broken record and consider saving the very essence of society building. The Mechanics' is not just a building. It is probably one of the greatest examples that this country could use to iniate a better freindlier, more cooperative society. Sometimes it's better to look back at history repeating itself, to engineer a better future. The only thing you want to repeat is Labour this Labour that, I blame Labour. Ironic that you don't find it amusing when I do it.
(See, annoying, isn't it?)
Frontier(s), says...
10:21am Sun 18 May 08
Grumpy wrote:People in glass houses, etc.
Frontier(s) wrote: Good lord, to read Donkey's nonsense you'd think we have Labour to thank for life itself. What utter nonsense.It's no worse than the rubbish you churn out on a daily basis.
oldtowner, Old Town says...
6:46pm Sun 18 May 08
I sympathise with the idea of preserving some of our heritage, but don't we already have a museum of the Great Western Railway? How many more unvisited museums does Swindon need?
Martha Parry's lot have been saying what they want for years, but managed to achieve nothing.
I'd rather that the building was sensitively adapted to be useful, and Matthew Singh has a plan to do that.
Martha Parry's lot have been saying what they want for years, but managed to achieve nothing.
I'd rather that the building was sensitively adapted to be useful, and Matthew Singh has a plan to do that.
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
9:29pm Sun 18 May 08
I'd rather that the building was sensitively adapted to be useful, and Matthew Singh has a plan to do that.
He does?! Why is he keeping so **** quiet then? What is he hiding? Not another glass monstrosity please! And it does not have to be a museum.
He does?! Why is he keeping so **** quiet then? What is he hiding? Not another glass monstrosity please! And it does not have to be a museum.
oldtowner, Old Town says...
9:41pm Sun 18 May 08
"And it does not have to be a museum."
OK, what do you suggest then?
OK, what do you suggest then?
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
10:21pm Sun 18 May 08
Fore Ears Front Mac Wrote
Oooh yes, how annoying.
I still blame Labour though, because I'm playing the same broken record as you
Grumpy wrote
Have to agree with that one, whilst still blaming Labour for last weeks weather.
Forefront Ears wrote
Exactly
Keep blaming Labour for the lack of water in the desert and the underground movement of worms.
My fridge makes a buzzing sound. I bet Labour caused that.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
I blame Labour and Pissimmon homes.
(See, annoying, isn't it?)
Oooh yes, how annoying.
I still blame Labour though, because I'm playing the same broken record as you
Grumpy wrote
It's no worse than the rubbish you churn out on a daily basis.
Have to agree with that one, whilst still blaming Labour for last weeks weather.
Forefront Ears wrote
People in glass houses, etc.
Exactly
Keep blaming Labour for the lack of water in the desert and the underground movement of worms.
My fridge makes a buzzing sound. I bet Labour caused that.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
Jason, says...
11:02pm Sun 18 May 08
Oldtowner Wrote
The Mechanics' preservation trust have actually achieved far more than Matthew Singh, in as much as they have actually made plans which have been accepted.
Their plans included using the building for purposes which it had been used for, without drastically altering its layout, hence the planning has been granted.
They also had successful youth groups and various activities running in the former railway museum, which has now been closed whilst we wait for our council to fail at running its own youth groups and then agree to convert the building into flats or something.
The only prevention of "Martha Parry's Lot) plans being initiated is the fact that a greedy selfish developer owns the building and he has plans that are about as insensitive to the area as could be.
I am pleased that our MP "appears" to be showing interest in the towns heritage, though I doubt she is aware of the role it played in the community.
Let's not forget the opening line of this topic
I would like to know what this bill contains.
Does it offer encouragement of Compulsory Purhase?
The Newbridge Memo came 2nd on the BBC Restoration series. With the additional history of the GWR, and NHS "blueprint", The Mechanics' could have won easily, if only it wasn't owned by someone so intent on building a huge multi storey greenhouse monstrosity.
Martha Parry's lot have been saying what they want for years, but managed to achieve nothing.
I'd rather that the building was sensitively adapted to be useful, and Matthew Singh has a plan to do that.
The Mechanics' preservation trust have actually achieved far more than Matthew Singh, in as much as they have actually made plans which have been accepted.
Their plans included using the building for purposes which it had been used for, without drastically altering its layout, hence the planning has been granted.
They also had successful youth groups and various activities running in the former railway museum, which has now been closed whilst we wait for our council to fail at running its own youth groups and then agree to convert the building into flats or something.
The only prevention of "Martha Parry's Lot) plans being initiated is the fact that a greedy selfish developer owns the building and he has plans that are about as insensitive to the area as could be.
I am pleased that our MP "appears" to be showing interest in the towns heritage, though I doubt she is aware of the role it played in the community.
Let's not forget the opening line of this topic
A CONFUSING draft bill presented by Gordon Brown this week could safeguard the future of the Mechanics' Institute.
I would like to know what this bill contains.
Does it offer encouragement of Compulsory Purhase?
The Newbridge Memo came 2nd on the BBC Restoration series. With the additional history of the GWR, and NHS "blueprint", The Mechanics' could have won easily, if only it wasn't owned by someone so intent on building a huge multi storey greenhouse monstrosity.
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
11:12pm Sun 18 May 08
Ooops!
I forgot to include this one
Jason wrote
Well said Jason. Just about sums it up.
Good information about the roles that the Mechanics' played out for both Swindon and the nation's social welfare.
Pity it got hijacked by the boring SLED (Slate Labour Every Day) continual loop dictation machine.
PS. I blame Labour for that ;-)
I forgot to include this one
Jason wrote
So your posts are not even aimed at what might be a heritage asset to the town, just a continuing, repeating hole picking session about Labour.
Like a broken record
Well said Jason. Just about sums it up.
Good information about the roles that the Mechanics' played out for both Swindon and the nation's social welfare.
Pity it got hijacked by the boring SLED (Slate Labour Every Day) continual loop dictation machine.
PS. I blame Labour for that ;-)
malkym, says...
7:55am Mon 19 May 08
MTW, MTW, MTW, I LIKE THAT RECORD ITS MY FAVOURITE AND I KNOW IT WINDS YOU UP SO ONCE AGAIN _EITHER LET MR SINGH DO WHAT HE WANTS OR NUKE NUKE NUKE IT NOW I SAY ITS AN EYESORE END OF!!
Mumstheword, Walcot says...
9:08am Mon 19 May 08
That is really sad Malkym, still at least you aren't saying "sue them" for a nice change :)
Tell me do you live in Swindon? If so, how long have you lived here for? Be interested to know and please take those caps locks off :)
P.S
Jason talks a lot of sense.
Tell me do you live in Swindon? If so, how long have you lived here for? Be interested to know and please take those caps locks off :)
P.S
Jason talks a lot of sense.
Frontier(s), says...
10:08am Mon 19 May 08
Hi Ho Silver!
You don't support Labour but you want to vote Labour because people point out how bad they are?
That's some mighty fine logic.
As for Jason's comment, do you not realise the only reason this story made the Adver is because it was an Anne Snelgrove press release?!? That is concerned the Mechanics Institute was merely by product.
For what it's worth, I'd have liked to have seen it turned into a music venue, but it seems the Council are incapable of considering anything but the Oasis for this purpose - unfortunately.
You don't support Labour but you want to vote Labour because people point out how bad they are?
That's some mighty fine logic.
As for Jason's comment, do you not realise the only reason this story made the Adver is because it was an Anne Snelgrove press release?!? That is concerned the Mechanics Institute was merely by product.
For what it's worth, I'd have liked to have seen it turned into a music venue, but it seems the Council are incapable of considering anything but the Oasis for this purpose - unfortunately.
angry monkey, Swindon says...
10:45am Mon 19 May 08
Jason wrote:Its all very well slating a "greedy developer" (although I'm not sure what he's done wrong really other than buy a building and get refused planning permission to do anhything with it) for not doing anything with the building, and the work done by Martha Parry's group is commendable, but how are they going to pay for it?
Oldtowner WroteMartha Parry's lot have been saying what they want for years, but managed to achieve nothing. I'd rather that the building was sensitively adapted to be useful, and Matthew Singh has a plan to do that.The Mechanics' preservation trust have actually achieved far more than Matthew Singh, in as much as they have actually made plans which have been accepted. Their plans included using the building for purposes which it had been used for, without drastically altering its layout, hence the planning has been granted. They also had successful youth groups and various activities running in the former railway museum, which has now been closed whilst we wait for our council to fail at running its own youth groups and then agree to convert the building into flats or something. The only prevention of "Martha Parry's Lot) plans being initiated is the fact that a greedy selfish developer owns the building and he has plans that are about as insensitive to the area as could be. I am pleased that our MP "appears" to be showing interest in the towns heritage, though I doubt she is aware of the role it played in the community. Let's not forget the opening line of this topicA CONFUSING draft bill presented by Gordon Brown this week could safeguard the future of the Mechanics' Institute.I would like to know what this bill contains. Does it offer encouragement of Compulsory Purhase? The Newbridge Memo came 2nd on the BBC Restoration series. With the additional history of the GWR, and NHS "blueprint", The Mechanics' could have won easily, if only it wasn't owned by someone so intent on building a huge multi storey greenhouse monstrosity.
Al Smith, Swindon, UK says...
12:29pm Mon 19 May 08
Jason, how can anyone submit proposals for something they do not own? Is that normal behaviour?
Perhaps they should raise the money to buy the institute first. I'm sure Mr Singh will be happy to sell, so long as the offer is reasonable.
Perhaps they should raise the money to buy the institute first. I'm sure Mr Singh will be happy to sell, so long as the offer is reasonable.
swindonlad, swindon says...
12:53pm Mon 19 May 08
Al Smith wrote:al, oddly enough you do not need to own a building (nor even have any links with it) to put in a planning application.
Jason, how can anyone submit proposals for something they do not own? Is that normal behaviour? Perhaps they should raise the money to buy the institute first. I'm sure Mr Singh will be happy to sell, so long as the offer is reasonable.
it's not normal practice as it costs money to get permission to do something you will not be able to do.
recent case is a woman who has gone to planning to build a park on the site of the home of the chairman of tesco as they are planning a tesco near her (or even where her house it)
Pav, Swindon says...
1:00pm Mon 19 May 08
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing. Kyoceran hit the nail on the head when they said about "old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses". Swindon has no history. Face it. Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can move on.
Pav, Swindon says...
1:01pm Mon 19 May 08
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing. Kyoceran hit the nail on the head when they said about "old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses". Swindon has no history. Face it. Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can move on.
Pav, Swindon says...
1:01pm Mon 19 May 08
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing. Kyoceran hit the nail on the head when they said about "old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses". Swindon has no history. Face it. Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can move on.
GetAJob, Swindon says...
1:50pm Mon 19 May 08
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing.
Why?
Swindon has no history.
You obviously didn't read my post then Pav.
Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for.
Maybe they can't, but that shows the state of the country we live in. Conversely I expect most people would struggle to say what other towns/cities are famous for - e.g. Reading, Exeter, Norwich, etc. The argument wasn't about being famous, it was about remembering what happened to bring Swindon to where it is now. Of course this town has a history, that has to be the moronic comment of the year so far. Try reading what is written before you form and state an opinion.
Grumpy, Swindon says...
2:27pm Mon 19 May 08
Pav wrote:Just because you are ignorant doesn't mean the rest of us are. As GetAJob said there are plenty of places in the UK that most people would struggle to place in an historical context, but that doesn't mean they haven't any history. Swindon has plenty if you care to investigate it, but somehow I suspect you will happily wallow in your ignorance because you are either too stupid or too lazy to make the effort to find out.
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing. Kyoceran hit the nail on the head when they said about "old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses". Swindon has no history. Face it. Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can move on.
malkym, Highworth says...
2:30pm Mon 19 May 08
Pav wrote:Precisely Pav - I was talking to someone from London the other day who asked where I lived -when I said Swindon they said "where's that and even when I said its only 3 stops from Paddington on the train they were still none the wiser. The last time I was in the Mechronics - Beer thing Camra the place was falling down - that was years ago and SBC have consistently refused to develop it or allow any. Unsurprisingly the owner wants rid if he cant do what he wanted and Parry , my abrasive friend MTW, and others are living in cloud cuckoo land - develop it to benefit the town commercially or knock it down and build something that will. Look at what's happened to the award winning Railway Village over the years it s now the haunt of druggies tarts and pimps etc nice!! How many junkies are currently getting their fix in the shadows of the MI?
I find this scrabbling around in the dirt, desperately looking for some kind of cultural history embarrassing. Kyoceran hit the nail on the head when they said about "old romantics seeing the world through rose tinted glasses". Swindon has no history. Face it. Most people in Britain couldn't tell you one thing Swindon is famous for. The sooner we realise this, the sooner we can move on.
N.B. MTW -not that it's of any relevance to stating an opinion whether I've been here 5 mins or 50yrs,I moved here to Moredon in 1951 and have spent the last 57 years here-does that now allow me to comment in your opinion now even if I disagree with your view? and what has "sue them" got to do with it?
Pav, Swindon says...
3:27pm Mon 19 May 08
Grumpy and GetALife.
If you want proof of Swindon's non-existence, go to Wikipedia and compare the Swindon entry with the Oxford entry. On the Oxford page there is a picture of the Dreaming Spires. On the Swindon page there is a picture of the John Murray building. I think that says it all.
You can say til you're blue in the face that Swindon has some kind of history or cultural importance - but that doesn't make it true.
If you want proof of Swindon's non-existence, go to Wikipedia and compare the Swindon entry with the Oxford entry. On the Oxford page there is a picture of the Dreaming Spires. On the Swindon page there is a picture of the John Murray building. I think that says it all.
You can say til you're blue in the face that Swindon has some kind of history or cultural importance - but that doesn't make it true.
Jason, says...
4:50pm Mon 19 May 08
there is a picture of the John Murray building. I think that says it all.
All the more reason to stop the decades of burying Swindon's history and insisting that we are making progress by building characterless features which are meant to be come sort of "vision".
That's exactly what the John Murray building was, in the 70s
You can say til you're blue in the face that Swindon has some kind of history or cultural importance - but that doesn't make it true.
A lot of things happened in the past which shaped the nations history. They happened in Swindon.
"The Trip" which would have been the beginning of annual holidays, began as a result of the Oxford Dons, visiting the state of the art railway works, and inviting members of The Mechanics' institute to Oxford University ( all because they were impressed by the level of intellect from these mere working class people).
So likewise, denying it till you're blue in the face does not mean it didn't happen
Oxford chose not to bury its history, and is a far more pleasant city as a result.
It's about time Swindon adopted a similar attitude
malkym, says...
5:03pm Mon 19 May 08
Jason with respect - historical value or not and I don't deny Swindon its railway heritage but, and there always is one, what the hell are we the SBC council tax payer going to do with it -it's been left to rot and fester for two decades at least and I don't want any more of my already extorninate council tax spent on this white elephant. SBC didnt want to -...or "couldn't afford to restore it" and they wont let Mr Singh do what he wants so.... what is the answer- get rid of and start afresh surely or give Mr Singh market value and refurb it to benefit the community- if that happens I'll have no complaints
Frontier(s), says...
5:06pm Mon 19 May 08
It's a bit unfair anyone comparing Swindon to Oxford.
Unfortunately for Swindon it is located very close to places such as Bristol, Bath and Oxford - places with real history.
Swindon only really became of any note sue to the railways and even then didn't really take off to any real degree until after 1850.
While it's a bit optimistic to consider the town 'historic' in any usual sense of the word, we should be looking after what historic buildings there are here in a better way.
The Railway Museum building is basically a youth club/charity building, the Railway Village seems to be a crack den, Locarno is about to become a bar/flats and the Mechanics is simply crumbling away.
The problem seems to be that in the 1960s/1970s Swindon considered itself a 'new' town... but it hasn't really moved on much since then. The town centre gives all the proof you need of that fact.
Unfortunately for Swindon it is located very close to places such as Bristol, Bath and Oxford - places with real history.
Swindon only really became of any note sue to the railways and even then didn't really take off to any real degree until after 1850.
While it's a bit optimistic to consider the town 'historic' in any usual sense of the word, we should be looking after what historic buildings there are here in a better way.
The Railway Museum building is basically a youth club/charity building, the Railway Village seems to be a crack den, Locarno is about to become a bar/flats and the Mechanics is simply crumbling away.
The problem seems to be that in the 1960s/1970s Swindon considered itself a 'new' town... but it hasn't really moved on much since then. The town centre gives all the proof you need of that fact.
Jason, says...
5:09pm Mon 19 May 08
Frontiers , in between continually blaming Labour for everything wrote
Yes.
I'm perfectly well aware that The mechanics' is probably a last ditch attempt, by a departing MP, to demonstrate that she has some interest in the culture of Swindon.
The fact that it has at least brought the issue into the limelight, and even had it mentioned, is however not a bad thing.
It still remains to be seen, exactly what this bill involves.
However, your predictable, continual droning about Labour has virtually nothing to do with this story.
For once I totally agree with you. Even small towns, such as Melksham, benefit greatly from live music venues.
You generall get a better class of clientelle at such venues, because the punters go to watch the bands, not just to get over inebriated, and t
As for Jason's comment, do you not realise the only reason this story made the Adver is because it was an Anne Snelgrove press release?!? That is concerned the Mechanics Institute was merely by product.
Yes.
I'm perfectly well aware that The mechanics' is probably a last ditch attempt, by a departing MP, to demonstrate that she has some interest in the culture of Swindon.
The fact that it has at least brought the issue into the limelight, and even had it mentioned, is however not a bad thing.
A CONFUSING draft bill presented by Gordon Brown this week could safeguard the future of the Mechanics' Institute.
It still remains to be seen, exactly what this bill involves.
However, your predictable, continual droning about Labour has virtually nothing to do with this story.
For what it's worth, I'd have liked to have seen it turned into a music venue, but it seems the Council are incapable of considering anything but the Oasis for this purpose - unfortunately.
For once I totally agree with you. Even small towns, such as Melksham, benefit greatly from live music venues.
You generall get a better class of clientelle at such venues, because the punters go to watch the bands, not just to get over inebriated, and t
who dat?, says...
7:20pm Fri 16 May 08