The 1871 Census shows that the population of New Swindon had increased by 83 per cent since the last Census. It was now almost 8,000 whilst Old Town was a fraction over 4,000.

From then until 1876 Sir Daniel Gooch and Joseph Armstrong must have been concerned that expansion of the town could not keep up with the works and a staff shortage could impact on the effectiveness of the GWR.

The fact that in some houses there was up to three families living in them must have caused them both concerns.

They expanded the medical facilities and washing baths. There was a severe outbreak of smallpox in 1871 and the sewage system was installed in 1872.

However the need for the accident hospital to be expanded into a cottage hospital happened almost overnight when Sir Daniel gave a contribution of £1,000 on the understanding that weekly contributions by workers in the medical fund matched it.

The medical centre would also issue free carbolic, disinfectant and arrange for lime to whitewash outhouses and cottages. The GWR had taken its education responsibilities seriously and had built a large school for infants and girls at College Street by the southern bank of the canal.

The demand for bricks in the early 1870s went ballistic as the works and housing developments expanded.

Thomas Turner was a local brick supplier and two interesting semi-detached houses he constructed still stand next to The Grove, to demonstrate the different type of bricks and tiles he could produce. They are still standing today, looking very quaint, and different!

A new brick works was established on the south bank of the Wilts & Berks canal, appropriately named the Swindon Brick and Tile Company. It was the largest brick works in the area and its kiln produced 25,000 bricks a day.

A good brickie could lay a 1,000 bricks a day, so even that could not meet the insatiable demand!

Swindon stone was now mainly being used for foundations, though it is said that the clay in Swindon made a very hard and durable brick and was in great demand.

The Wilts & Berks Canal tried desperately to meet the demand for transportation of building materials and it is said that at every vacant spot along the railway and canal in Swindon there were stacks of timber and building materials stored. The canal had installed a heavy lifting steam crane to cope with the deliveries at its Swindon Wharf.

Competition from the canal could not have unduly worried the GWR.

In 1852, the GWR obtained Parliamentary approval to take over the whole canal. The canal company shareholders were guaranteed an annual dividend, and the GWR would run the company and canal in a business like way.

Just before 1877 dawned, Gooch and Armstrong must have been pleased that J Compton and Sons the uniform makers established a factory to make uniforms and employed 300 women. The whole Swindon enterprise was now beginning to knit together nicely and what was good for the GWR was good for Swindon!