THE DEVELOPMENT of Abbey Meads was the start of Swindon’s Northern Expansion and in the years that followed, the area grew into the vibrant and exciting place it is today.

Like many of the neighbouring ‘villages’ off Thamesdown Drive, a family pub stands at the entrance to Abbey Meads.

The Abbey Mead pub has been managed by Mark Skinner, 28, for the past year.

Mark, who lives above the pub in Elstree Way, moved to Abbey Meads from Worcester.

“It’s a really good local community pub, I really enjoy it here,” he said.

“Our customers come from all over the area, not just Abbey Meads – it is one of those places where everybody knows everyone.”

Next to the pub, lies perhaps the busiest village centre of all those in north Swindon.

The centre boasts a Tesco Express store, a veterinary surgery, Chinese takeaway, estate agents and a charity shop. Just across the road is a church, as well as a dentists and doctors surgery.

Receptionist Sylvia Covey works at Drove Vets, which has occupied the end of terrace unit in the centre since 1999.

She said: “This is very much a local branch and it’s always very busy with people coming in and out all the time. There is a good community feel around here and there is always lots going on.

“There are a lot of young families living in Abbey Meads most probably because of the houses price range.”

Tanya Parkinson, 45, moved from Greenmeadow to Snowshill Close 15 years ago.

She is now the manager at Butterflies Children Centre, which has been based next to Catherine Wayte Primary School, off Elstree Way since June.

“We were one of the first families to move in and Abbey Meads was basically just a building site,” she said.

“There was nothing here, it was really weird. The children’s centre was a police point but there was no community base and nobody knew anyone.

“There is much more of a community here now, I think having the village centre has really helped, and Catherine Wayte and Abbey Meads schools have helped create focal points.

“It’s a great position, we’ve got the Orbital shopping centre within walking distance which has got some really good shops now and there is quite a lot going on.

“Working at the children’s centre was something I couldn’t refuse, it’s something about having been here from the start, I just felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down – some of the areas in north Swindon are still very much developing and are at a similar stage to what Abbey Meads was when I moved here, so I want to be able to support those young families that are in the same position as I was.”

Andy Memory, managing director at Meditec Training, moved to Hudson Way in Abbey Meads five years ago because of its location and easy access to the M4.

“I was working for Virgin Atlantic Airways at the time and needed to have easy access to both Heathrow and Gatwick airports,” he said.

“The area I live in is quiet most of the time, however, there is still an ongoing battle with individuals riding around on mini motorbikes and regular sized mopeds. It is more apparent in the summer months and I know the police are working to reduce this.

“Abbey Meads has easy access to Seven Fields, which is a very nice open space to walk my labrador, Merlin. It is nice to have something nearby for those early morning walks.

“I wouldn't really change much about Abbey Meads, it is what it is and an easy place to live and go about business and pleasure.”