swindon

1952: To enable the Gorse Hill Salvation Army, Swindon, to buy floor covering for the aisles and platform of their hall in Chapel Street, the South Street Mission Band from Hammersmith in London gave a concert in Trinity Methodist Church, Cricklade Road. They marched along Cricklade Road playing as they went, and causing a traffic jam of four buses, eight cars and a large number of cyclists.

1952: The Countess of Orssict, from Windsor, took up her gun to shoot for the London Gun Club again the Swindon Clay Pigeon Shooting Club at the Swindon Ground in Badbury.

1962: Mr F E Wright from Marlborough, and Mrs J Burnell of Lambourn were taking part in the Concours d’Elegance in Bognor Regis for the culmination of the test of skill and endurance set by the caravan Club. The keen caravanners had to drive 300 miles in the night over unknown routes with frequent time controls and secret checks, followed by gruelling tests round the Goodwood Racing Circuit.

1962: A mother of 15 children and grandmother of five had been elected Highworth Carnival’s Matron of Honour. Mrs P Whittaker of Westrop, Highworth, was to attend the Carnival Queen. Dr O D Gilmore of Highworth Swimming Pool Committee, which organised the dance at which Mrs Whittaker was chosen, said that the competition was open to anyone over 25 and under 95 of good repute.

1972: The villagers of Aldbourne - voted Wiltshire’s prettiest village - turned out in force to protect their village green. More than 150 turned up to a special parish meeting held to discuss a scheme about a car park in front of the Blue Boar public house. Mr Oliver Hawkins, chairman of the Parish Council, presided over the meeting which voted against the car park scheme.

1972: A Swindon Navy patrol man received a commendation certificate for his part in the hovercraft capsize rescue in the Solent. Acting Leading Regulator, David Edwards, 24, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, was one of four patrol men - the policemen of the Royal Navy - to receive commendations for the rescue. They gave valuable assistance escorting survivors ashore and in carrying casualties to the waiting ambulances. Then they assisted the diving team to bring the hovercraft to shore.

the world

1812: Limerick writer Edward Lear, author of The Book Of Nonsense, was born in London.

1820: ‘Lady of the Lamp’ Florence Nightingale, hospital reformer who tended the wounded during the Crimean War, was born in Italy.

1926: The TUC called off the General Strike after nine days.

1932: The kidnapped baby son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was found dead.

1935: Self-help group Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by William Wilson in Ohio.

1937: The coronation of King George VI took place in Westminster Abbey and was broadcast worldwide by the BBC.

2008: An earthquake (measuring around 8.0 magnitude) occurred in Sichuan, China, killing more than 69,000 people.

BIRTHDAYS

Burt Bacharach, composer/songwriter, 90; Lord Patten of Barnes (Chris Patten), politician and former Governor of Hong Kong, 74; Steve Winwood, singer, 70; Gabriel Byrne, actor, 68; Emilio Estevez, actor, 56; Jason Biggs, actor, 40.