The Story of Swindon:
From Ancient Settlement to Modern Town
Community Voice: We will hold regular meetings where residents can share ideas and concerns about local issues. These discussions will help us develop constructive proposals to take forward to our local MP, ensuring that the people of Swindon have a clear and respected voice in shaping their town’s future.
Member Support: We are committed to supporting our members and neighbours who may be struggling to thrive. By building a strong and caring network, we can help one another overcome challenges and create pathways to personal and collective growth.
Local Engagement: Our group will host regular gatherings for like-minded individuals who want to play an active role in Swindon’s renewal. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to make positive change at the local level.
Community Projects: We will organise outreach initiatives — such as family fun days, street clean-ups, and neighbourhood improvement projects — to foster civic pride and strengthen community bonds.
Health and Wellbeing: To promote a healthier lifestyle, we plan to establish activity groups encouraging residents to stay active, both physically and mentally, while building friendships and mutual support..
Promotion of Family Values: We believe that strong families are the foundation of a strong community. A happy and healthy household creates the stability and support that every individual needs to thrive. We encourage our members to nurture those bonds — spending quality time together, supporting one another, and bringing that same sense of warmth and unity into our group. Through family-friendly events, shared activities, and community gatherings, we aim to create a welcoming environment where families can connect, build lasting memories, and strengthen their relationships both at home and within the wider Swindon community.
Our Mission
Swindon’s history is far deeper than its modern image might suggest. Long before it became a railway town or a centre of industry, the area was home to Roman settlers who established small communities along key trade routes connecting Cirencester, Bath, and the wider province of Britannia. Archaeological finds hint at villas, farming estates, and roads that tied Swindon’s landscape into the Roman network of commerce and culture.
With the fall of Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxons took root in the region. It was during this period that Swindon earned its name — “Swine Dune,” or “Pig Hill” — a reflection of the area’s early pastoral economy. The settlement grew around its hilltop position, offering both security and fertile land, and soon developed into a small but active community known for its livestock and market trade.
By the medieval era, Swindon had established itself as a modest market town serving the surrounding countryside. Local fairs and weekly markets drew merchants and craftsmen from across Wiltshire, helping Swindon become a local hub for agriculture and goods exchange. The town’s strong rural traditions and spirit of enterprise endured through the centuries, paving the way for its later transformation in the 19th century — when the Great Western Railway Works brought a new age of innovation and prosperity.
Today, reminders of Swindon’s past can still be seen in its landscape and place names, a testament to a town shaped by Romans, Saxons, and medieval traders alike — each leaving their mark on a community that continues to evolve while honouring its remarkable heritage..