SWINDON has seen an incredible amount of change over the past century.

Elderly members of the town’s population experienced its transformation first-hand, so the Daniel Angelini decided to chat to some of its oldest residents as part of our Shout for Swindon campaign.

Phyllis Thomas will celebrate her 100th birthday later this year and is settling nicely into her new home at Fitzwarren House, which often triggers nostalgic reminiscing about days gone by.

She said: “I can look out through the window onto the railway line which lead to the Vickers factory in Stratton St Margaret where I wired Spitfires during the Second World War. That was difficult but very rewarding.

“Before my husband and I got married, we watched the Northern Lights together in the quarry. It was beautiful, we couldn’t believe it, it looked like fireworks, we both laughed and enjoyed it so much.

“I was born in Gothic cottages at the bottom of Kingshill, it was such a friendly place, everyone knew each other and helped each other out.

“I went to Clifton Street School, which was a marvellous school - my favourite teacher was Miss Harvard, she was lovely, and I helped her make some of the displays.

“After I met my husband Bill, who worked at the railways, we got married in Old Town and lived in William Street. After we retired, we travelled all over the place on the railways.”

Some of Phyllis’ fondest memories come from her time working on Regent Street before it was closed to traffic, full of the noise and bustle of buses and cars.

She added: “I worked at Marks & Spencer after the war and absolutely loved it. I loved the sense of community on the street between us and all the small businesses around the town centre like The Spot, McIlroy’s, Morse’s, and the old market.

“I used to enjoy just watching people go to work and school and church. I liked going to Christ Church, which I’m so pleased is still around, it’s a lovely little chapel. Bill and I went to St Mark’s a lot and had our son Trevor christened there.

“A lot of that area is so different now, most of the places I remember which were so important to me are gone now, which is a real shame, I’d love to go back to that time.”

– Have you lived in Swindon for decades and have happy memories about its past that you’d like to share with us? Is there something under-appreciated or unsung in Swindon that you think is worth shouting about?

If so, please get in touch by calling 01893 501734 or email daniel.angelini@newsquest.co.uk with your story and contact details.