SOCIALISING at the weekend with my drinking companions, we discussed where we originally came from and why we came to our adopted town of Swindon.

An emotional move by any standards, but none of us regretted the major step in our lives.

Where we came from included far flung places, such as Northern Ireland, Scotland and London, to mention a few.

It was unanimous that we either came for work or decent housing, many for both reasons, one of the lads in the forces marrying a Swindon girl — a not uncommon occurrence.

Swindon lacked neither of these important necessities in everyday life, housing and employment during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Many of us had changed jobs on more than one occasion. We had all bought houses – a detached bungalow in the early 60s cost a few thousand pounds.

I worked in bricklaying gangs in the early 70s and remember detached houses selling for less than £10,000.

Bearing in mind our social venue is the Coleview Community Centre, we all live in the catchment areas of Covingham, Nythe and Coleview; these prices may surprise the younger generation, as I am led to believe these are sought after areas according to local estate agents.

The council waiting list in the early 70s was six months.

I would never argue that many things have got better for us all over the years, but many have not.

Our standard of living may have risen but I find it very sad the youth of today do not have the opportunities that we had when we arrived here, with reasonable priced housing compared to wage levels; short council house waiting lists, and last but not least, an abundance of employment opportunities.

Thursday’s Advertiser used to have pages of job offers when I arrived here with a wife and four children to support in 1971.

I wouldn’t fancy my chances of a successful move so much in 2015.

BILL WILLIAMS Merlin Way Swindon