Monday, January 30

1951: Although it had not reached epidemic proportions, the flu in Swindon had been widespread and was packing out doctors' surgeries and giving chemists their busiest time for many years. The life of the town has been severely hampered and it it likely that 1,000 homes in the town will not have their dustbins emptied.

1961: To make up for the time when he was unable to attend Swindon Writers' Circle meeting, Johnny Morris recorded a BBC programme at the Swindon Arts Centre. The programme, in front of the Swindon audience, was an illustrated, silly lecture about entertainment. 250 members of the writers' circle had been invited to attend.

1971: There was good family fare at the Methodist Central Hall, Swindon, when a large audience turned out to see the town's Methodist ministers, with their families and guest stars from the Congregational and Anglican Churches, produce their special brand of entertainment to boost Circuit funds. There was music, sketches and dancing, helped along by the compere Rev Derryk Evans.

Tuesday January 31

1951: The Plum Club came into being just before Christmas and the object was to raise funds for a summer outing to the Isle of Wight. The big five who belong to the club include a barber, a special constable and a commercial traveller. They meet at the New Inn Stratton. The club badge has a plum colour and it must be worn when the club is in session or a penny fine ensues.

1961: An offer by Vickers-Armstrong to share their South Marston airfield with international charter plane firms puts Swindon on the airport map. One private firm has already been granted a licence to operate a service to the Channel Isles. The 6,000 ft runway has been for company aircraft only but now Derby Aviation Ltd have signed up to use the airstrip.

1971: Few servicemen can claim to have served in the RAF for longer than Edgar F George. He has retired three months before his 50th anniversary with the force. To mark the occasion, Mr George, senior civilian engineering officer at RAF Wroughton, was given a final flight in a Wessex helicopter and received gifts from several sections of the unit, at a dinner where he was honoured guest, with his wife, in the Officers' Mess.

Wednesday, February 1

1951: Mr R Palmer, 92, of George Lane, Marlborough, sang for 10 minutes at the old folks party given at the Marlborough Westley Hall by Mr J W Gale, It was the 58th similar party held in the town.

1951: While allowances had been made for the novelty and attraction of Division 3 (South) opposition, the approximate attendance of 9,000 proved the drawing power of football under the floodlights when Swindon Town drew 0-0 with Headington in an Invitation match.

1061: A 60ft long brick wall was sent crashing to the ground by gale force winds which buffeted Swindon. The wall was in Ripon Way, Park South. It was 5ft 6" and was owned by Mrs Dorothy Valters, who said it could have been nasty if it had happened during the day, as children played on the grass strip beside the wall.

1961: They Spoke German, a BBC television film on the work of the International Help For Children Organisation, which featured a meeting of the Swindon branch committee, was shown in the hall in Devizes Road, Swindon to an audience of 50 people. It had been previously broadcast on BBC television.

1971: The Swindon Liberals chief slammed the Tories for inviting Enoch Powell to speak at their annual dinner. John Newman chairman of Swindon Liberals and Radical Association, said it was astonishing as it might lead to racial Tension in the town. He was speaking at the Liberals New Year dinner.

1971: The big secret unfolded itself at a christening at Bowood, and the Marquess of Lansdowne was delighted. His grandson was given his name, George. Lord Lansdown was not aware of what had been planned when he attended the baptism in the private chapel. His grandson's title is the Viscount of Calne and Calstone.

Thursday, February 2

1951: Eddie Thomas of Swindon was chosen to keep goal for the England Youths against Scotland Youths at Kilmarnock. He was accompanied north of the border by Mr W Scott (Swindon) secretary of the Wiltshire Football Association Youth Committee.

1951: In the Swindon and District Theatre Guild's One Act Play Writing Competition the first prize went to Mrs Muriel May, of the Vicarage, Preshute for her play called Signpost, second prize went to Mrs Marguerite Johansen Deane, of Clifton Street, Swindon for her play Gaby's Inheritance. There were 12 entries.

1961: Old people from the North Wiltshire area and from the Southbrook Silver Threads Club, Swindon, watched a pantomime staged by the 11th Swindon All Saints Boy Scouts. The panto was Snow White and held in the All Saints Church Hall in Southbrook Street. It was produced by Mr L N Cann, and the scenery and costumes were made by the scouts themselves.

1961: Bargain priced dresses and coats were modelled at a Swindon Fashion Show. The audience was comprised of members of the St Augustine's Church, Rodbourne Road, Swindon and the models were members of the Young Wives Group.

1971: Cricklade Parish Council has dropped its objections to bypass plans for the town, despite a request from a recent parish council meeting that the opposition should go on. When the decision not to oppose the amended plans were taken it was argued against by Mr James Baker and Mr Ronald Blackwell.

1971: A meeting of the Richard Jefferies Society was held in the Council Chamber of Highworth Rural Council, Swindon. Norman Passant read a selection of his own poems. The theme of many of his works reflected Mr Passant's love of nature.

Friday, February 3

1951: Premises in Savernake Street, Swindon which were formerly used as a civic restaurant have been repaired and renovated and reopened by Sir J Hodsol, Director General of Civil Defence as a Civil Defence training centre.

1951: A letter written by a Marlborough inhabitant was read out during the BBC Woman's Hour programme and caused much interest. The writer described her home saying she had to share an outside tap with three other houses. Her washing was done in bowls, no sinks, and there was no bathroom. But, she said: At least it was a tap and not a well.

1961: One of the founder members of the Swindon Workingmen's Club's Women's Skittles Team, Mrs A Williams, of Clifton Street, Swindon, was surprised on her 73rd birthday when her team mates had a special cake baked for her. The club opened its doors to women four years ago allowing the grandmother to indulge her passion for skittles.

1961: The president of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Dr E S Moult and the Secretary Dr A M Ballantyne, visited Swindon to hear a lecture on nuclear power in flight. It was given by Mr A D Baxter, the executive director (engineering) of the De Haviland Engine Company, and held at Swindon College. It was attended by more than 100 members of the society.

1971: Electronics firm Square D of Swindon which announced the lay off of 200 workers is now to dismiss more of its employees. It was understood that the members of both Clerical and Electrical Workers' Unions were involved. The national executive committee of one union had categorically been told workers were to be laid off.

1971: The president of the Swindon Teachers' Association, Mr D Hoyland, said, at the last meeting, that a comprehensive school system was urgently necessary. He said the process of selection was never completely successful so was better ignored. Swindon, he said, made good use of its old renovated schools for educational purposes but he destroyed the suggestion that renovation might take priority over replacement.

Saturday, February 4

1951: Swindon Town Council Transport Committee has decided to provide more bus shelters in Swindon. A new sub committee has been appointed to inspect existing shelters and possible new sites and report to the Transport Committee on numbers and costs

1951: The site of Swindon's new hospital, at Okus, has been acquired, it was reported at the monthly meeting of the Oxford Regional Hospital Board. Chairman Dr Janet Vaughan told members that, subject to agreement on price, the necessary land had been acquired, and the Architect had been to the site. The plan was now a reality, she added.

1961: The new £22,500 Park Boys Club at Cranmore Avenue, Park South, Swindon, has been officially opened. It is the first of six the National Association of Boys Clubs plans to build in Swindon and district, with the help of local industrialists. The ceremony, held in the main hall, was attended by more than 300 guests, including the Duke of Beaufort.

1961: For their afternoon run members of the Swindon Vespa Club, led by Mr A Collins, took part in a motor scooter ramble. Using the hills and roads of White Horse Downs, the ramble proved good practice for this year's scooter trial. After a break for refreshments at Wantage, members returned home via Faringdon.

1971: The strike by Swindon's Reliance Controls workers has been hotting up. All 50 of the women who came out are still maintaining picket lines on a rota basis - a fortnight later. At a mass meeting the women all tried to persuade other workers to join them in their claim for an increased basic weekly wage.

1971: The Queen has awarded the Imperial Service Medal to Mr Arthur Higgins who was a postman for Highworth for many years until his recent retirement from the Post Office.