Swindonians are invited to participate in a special public event aimed at initiating a borough-wide discussion on the preservation and evolution of Swindon’s heritage.
Titled ‘Swindon’s heritage: Celebrating the past, investing in the future,’ this event promises to be an enlightening experience, featuring inspirational guest speakers delving into the town’s history and contemplating its future.
The event is scheduled to take place at UTC in the Carriage Works on Monday, 27th November, commencing at 6 pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into the history of Swindon’s iconic landmarks, including Town Gardens, the Mechanics’ Institute, and the Health Hydro. More importantly, they will be encouraged to express their thoughts on how these key sites should be utilised in the future, actively participating in shaping the destiny of Swindon’s remarkable heritage.
Hosted in the historic Carriage Works, the event will also shed light on the progress of ambitious regeneration projects centred around two key heritage sites in the Railway Village – the Health Hydro and the Carriage Works. Attendees will gain insights into the current status of these projects and glimpse into future plans for subsequent phases.
As part of the broader engagement initiative, the Council plans to launch a survey following the event. This survey will delve deeper into residents’ opinions on Swindon’s heritage assets and their sentiments towards them. The invaluable data collected from this survey, combined with insights gathered during the live event and previous Resident Surveys conducted earlier this autumn, will form the foundation of a comprehensive Heritage Action Plan for Swindon.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Heritage, Art, and Culture, expressed the significance of this event, highlighting the Council’s commitment to collaboration with residents and its role as a responsive authority. Strinkovsky said that widespread participation will kick-start the process of developing positive plans for heritage sites and buildings.
“We have many cherished places in Swindon, and we want to engage in conversations with residents to understand where our priorities should lie concerning the Borough’s heritage,” says Councillor Strinkovsky. She urges residents to attend the event, have their voices heard, and contribute their insights to the vision of what makes Swindon great.
For those unable to attend, Councillor Strinkovsky encourages them to stay tuned for the launch of the survey, providing an opportunity to share their views in greater detail.
Residents keen to be part of this heritage conversation can sign up for the event here.
