With the completion of the Penhill estate in mid-1955, development began to the east of the town. This week’s aerial photograph of Swindon 50 years ago shows building under way at Walcot East where streets were named after famous 16th and 17th century Britons.

Swindon Corporation acquired 1,000 acres of land for building to the east of the town, swallowing up long-held Goddard property, including the Lower and Upper Walcot Farms.

The new estates had to be built quickly and cheaply.

John Laing and Co, a major contractor on the site, introduced the new Easiform, prefabricated concrete house.

This photograph shows the broad sweep of Frobisher Drive in the foreground (1) with Shrivenham Road and the County Ground in the distance.

Were you one of the first 1950s residents to move to Swindon from London?

Did you live in the newly completed terrace on Frobisher Drive, then surrounded by fields? (2) If you did we’d like to hear your memories of the early days in Walcot.

St Andrew’s Church, designed by Swindon architects RJ Beswick and Son of Victoria Road, was consecrated in 1958. Were you one of the first couples to be married there? Email us on aerialmemories@swindon advertiser.co.uk or write to Aerial Memories at the Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE and tell us about your big day.

The Walcot estates were the first to be built with a neighbourhood centre. This photograph shows the road plans for the future award-winning shopping precinct at Sussex Square (3). Today Baileys Farmhouse (4) is a Swindon Borough Council project for the homeless.

If you have memories of the farm 50 years ago we’d like to hear from you.

The Walcot Dome Community Centre in Burghley Close stands on the former site of the Walcot Boys Club (5).

This club opened in 1961, providing a variety of sports and activities for boys on the estate. If you were a member, contact us with your memories.

KEY
1. The broad sweep of Frobisher Drive is in the foreground with Shrivenham Road and the County Ground in the distance.

2. The newly completed terrace on Frobisher Drive, then surrounded by fields

3. The road plans for the future award-winning shopping precinct at Sussex Square

4. Baileys Farmhouse today a Swindon Borough Council project for the homeless.

5. The Walcot Dome Community Centre in Burghley Close stands on the former site of the Walcot Boys Club

David Wood:
Your aerial photograph on February 9 of Walcot estate taken during the 1950s brought back many happy memories for me.

I was one of the founder members of Walcot Boys’ Club when it opened in 1961.

I had previously been a member of Park Boys Club which was opened about two years earlier.

I lived in Park North and Walcot BC was closer.

The boys’ club was an excellent facility for teenage boys. I attended most evenings and took part in numerous sporting events such as football, cricket, basketball, table tennis, snooker, trampolining etc.

There were also outings at the weekend including pot-holing, fishing and canoeing.

Many of the friendships formed during my membership have lasted a lifetime.

The club Leader for many years was Brian Bennett. He was such a patient, considerate and understanding man. He was highly respected, a real role model.

He was assisted by a number of volunteers who helped supervise the sporting activities.

There was also a committee who were involved with fundraising events. Stan Iles, the Havelock Street watchmaker, was a member of that committee.

During the four years I was a member I met Frankie Vaughan, who was a supporter of the National Association of Boys’ Clubs.

Some of the Swindon Town footballers often came to help coach our football team. These included Keith Morgan and Jack Smith.

We were very lucky to have such a club; the youth of today don’t have such opportunities.

It was a sad day when the club was demolished, but the memories remain.