SWINDON 175 has taken a major step towards a successful celebratory year after securing the support of Great Western Railways as a project partner and main sponsor.

The campaign, which aims to mark 175 years since the first construction began in new Swindon, has also announced the appointment of former Labour peer Lord Joffe as its patron.

The involvement of GWR is particularly significant as it was the introduction of a Great Western Railway locomotive repair shed to the area that originally sparked the development that was to become new Swindon.

Caroline Black, Project Manager for Swindon 175, said, “At the heart of our celebration is the world famous works of the Great Western Railway, so to have secured the support of today’s GWR is absolutely fantastic.

“Businesses across Swindon, both large and small, are looking to get involved and we are hoping more will come forward to support us.”

Matthew Golton, GWR’s Business Development Director, said: “It is only right that GWR support the celebrations which mark the start of the building of New Swindon.

“We are also looking to add to the celebrations later this year as we mark 175 years since the opening of the Great Western Main Line all the way from London to Bristol, which continues to play such an important part in the region's economy today."

Swindon 175 plans to commemorate the anniversary year with a series of events designed to draw attention to the heritage of the town that many people are entirely unaware of.

After a successful launch event at the Steam Museum at the end of 2015, marked by the return of two historic locomotives to the town, the next stop for the campaign will be a series of school assemblies later this month.

On February 25, children at primary schools across Swindon will learn what Swindon looked like when it was just a field before the arrival of development centred on the railway changed the landscape forever.

At the end of March, the hooter that was originally used to signal the start of the working day at the old railway works, now the designer retail outlet, will sound again.

It will be the first time it has sounded since the closure of the works in 1986.

The events will continue throughout the year with a ten day Swindon Fringe Festival planned for April being among the highlights.

The commemorative programme is backed by Swindon Borough Council and managed by Business West with support from outside sponsors.

It was announced this week that Lord Joel Joffe had joined the leadership team as a Patron for the year.

Lord Joffe is a South-African born former human rights lawyer who was once part of Nelson Mandela’s defence team.

He became a Labour peer in 2000 and retired from the House of Lords in March 2015.

Lord Joffe said: “I am delighted to be asked by the Swindon 175 team to be patron for this important year.

“The incredible heritage of Swindon has very much shaped its modern day success and the people of the town should be very proud of the town’s achievements and its future prospects.”