This view of Penhill looking across to the present day Groundwell Industrial Estate is almost unrecognisable.

Once surrounded by fields, today Penhill is dwarfed by neighbouring new development at Haydon Wick.

The Royal British Legion Club in Downton Road (1) has yet to make an appearance.

Also missing from this 1950s photograph is the block of high rise housing in Seagry Court built in the 1960s (2) and Uplands School (3).

Building stops at Latton Close at the extreme left of the photograph (4) with the broad sweep of Leigh Road (5) in the foreground.

The estate was built on the American Radburn lines in superblocks with houses grouped in small cul de sacs around areas of park or open space.

A hundred years ago Francis Hoddinott was the farmer at Penhill Farm, part of a small settlement just outside the Swindon borough boundary in Stratton St. Margaret.

In 1951 Swindon Corporation acquired the farm with about 250 acres of building land and by 1965 there were 2,000 houses.

The 2001 census revealed a Penhill population of more than 6,000. St Peter’s Church, designed by Harold Brakspear, was consecrated in 1956.

If you were an early member of the new congregation we’d like to hear from you.

Email us with all your memories to aerialmemories@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or write to Aerial Memories at the Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE.

Despite some bad press in the past, Penhill today enjoys a thriving community spirit.

A Monday Cafe opened its doors at the John Moulton Hall in February while other events at the hall include a Tuesday Over 50s Keep Fit Club, Literacy and Numeracy support classes and a computer taster course.

In 2002 members of the Penhill Community Orchard project planted the first two trees on the 1.7-acre site next to Seven Fields Nature Reserve and continue to involve residents in their work.

Penhill Primary school children helped with the bug box project and the Orchard hosted a Forest School Day in August.

Penhill Community Orchard was overall winner of the Swindon Quality of Life Award 2008.

KEY
1. The Royal British Legion Club in Downton Road has yet to make an appearance
2. Also missing from this 1950s photograph is the block of high rise housing in Seagry Court built in the 1960s
3. Uplands School is also not on this picture
4. Building stops at Latton Close at the extreme left of the photograph
5.The broad sweep of Leigh Road is in the foreground