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Photograph of popular head Mrs Coleman & pupils of Hook School, 1958/9. Interviewed by Lord Bolingbroke for the job, she was at the school for 20 years. Search Hook School.

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Photographs (7) of children and families at the Lydiard Camp estate, 1950s

Photographs (7) of children and families at the Lydiard Camp estate, 1950s
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In 1949-50 Swindon Corporation converted the military camp at Lydiard Park into temporary homes for young local families, in an effort to relieve the housing crisis and allow time to build new council estates. For many the ‘huts’ afforded newfound luxury, offering privacy and modern amenities such as constant hot water.     

Fondly remembered by many former residents, the camp had its own social club and school, while the surrounding park provided a huge adventure playground for the children. During its ten-year lifespan, numerous babies were born there, many being christened at St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze. By 1959, the temporary buildings were deteriorating and the council rehoused tenants in new accommodation in Swindon and Wiltshire. The camp was finally demolished in 1960; other than a few sections of concrete road, no sign of it remains.

These snapshots are part of a larger collection of photographs of "the camp" held in the archives at Lydiard House.

Year:
1950-1960
Photographer:
Type:
Photograph
Location:
Lydiard House
Owner:
Swindon Borough Council
Reference:
LYD 1988 20 - 2/7/23/24/26/47/48
Copyright:
Lydiard House
Last updated on:
Monday 16th October 2023

Items of Interest

Photographs (3) of Pauline Bowler in her pram at No 8a Lydiard Park
Photographs (3) of Pauline Bowler in her pram at No 8a Lydiard Park

Pauline Bowler, daughter of Ivy and Sid Bowler in...

Plan for conversion of military hut to residential dwelling, 1948
Plan for conversion of military hut to residential dwelling, 1948

This plan sets out how a former latrine and washro...

Roland and Gertrude Gough outside no.90 Lydiard Park
Roland and Gertrude Gough outside no.90 Lydiard Park

Roland and Gertrude Gough with their son Geoff, st...

The Lost Estate, an account of life on the Lydiard Park Estate, 1950's
The Lost Estate, an account of life on the Lydiard Park Estate, 1950's

Booklet produced to accompany The Lost Estate, an...