SWINDON

1952: Speaking before the performance given by the Elsa School of Ballet in Swindon, in aid of the National Society for the Protection of Children, Mr D F Story, secretary of Swindon and North Wiltshire Branch of the NSPCC, said that last year the society helped 100,000 children. The highlight of the performance was the ballet called The Bluebird in three scenes, with the principal of the ballet school, Madeleine Stuart, taking the title role.

1952: Memories of a grand old country wedding feast held in a barn at Day House Farm, Swindon, more than 70 years ago were recalled by Mr S A Streetly of Swindon when he spoke on Greene Ferne Farm by Richard Jefferies to a gathering of members of the Swindon Branch WEA and the Richard Jefferies Society.

1962: Swindon sea cadets were told they were a smart, smiling group of youngsters, by the Honorary Commodore of the Sea Cadets Corps, Rear Admiral J E H McBeath. Before his address, Admiral McBeath, accompanied by the Mayor of Swindon Coun A E Cochram had inspected the Swindon Sea Cadets Corps at their headquarters in Church Place, Swindon, Training Ship Emerald.

1962: The special trains that each year took Swindon railwaymen and their families away for Trip fortnight were the latest to come under the Beeching axe. The number of train specials were cut from 21 to 14.

1972: Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church, Swindon, rebuilt at a cost of more than £100,000, was formally consecrated at a two hour service. Most of the Holy Rood Church, built in 1905, had been demolished in 1970 to make way for a new building, which included a nave, open plan sanctuary, committee room and entrance. The tower from the old church was incorporated. Special guests at the service were the Mayor of Swindon Coun Peter Furkins and David Stoddart MP.

1972: Young mothers, who run the Dorcan Play School at Covingham, have put on a fashion show at Covingham Park Junior School. They charged 25p a head. The clothes were provided by a Cavendish Square boutique and the money raised was for playgroup funds.

THE WORLD

1831: The magnetic North Pole was located by Sir James Clark Ross on his Arctic exploration expedition with Admiral Parry.

1880: The first telephone box for public use, in New Haven, Connecticut, went into service.

1911: Britain’s first electric trolley buses began operating in Bradford and Leeds.

1915: Zeppelins carried out their first raid on London.

1935: Driving tests were introduced and L plates made compulsory in Britain.

1946: The first TV licences were issued in Britain, at a fee of £2.

1953: Gordon Richards became the first jockey to be knighted. Six days later he won the Derby at his 28th attempt.

1957: The first Premium Bond prize winners were drawn by the computer ERNIE, with a first prize of £1,000.

1958: The Clean Air Act came into force.

1966: Folk fans at the Royal Albert Hall booed Bob Dylan for performing with an electric guitar.

2017: Airline boss Willie Walsh apologised to British Airways customers, five days after an IT shutdown left 75,000 Bank Holiday travellers stranded.

BIRTHDAYS

Morgan Freeman, actor, 81; Brian Cox, actor, 72; Jan Harvey, actress, 71; Jonathan Pryce, actor, 71; Ronnie Wood, Rolling Stones guitarist, 71; Martin Brundle, former racing driver and commentator, 59; Nigel Short, chess player, 53; Jason Donovan, actor/singer, 50; Heidi Klum, model and actress, 45; Alanis Morissette, singer, 44; Tom Holland, actor, 22.