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jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

200 followers 340 following 930 posts

Cycling round Wiltshire and feeding the ducks (and playing records and building little aeroplanes).

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jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

Corporation Street has still got a bend in it. Much of what was terraced houses was the old bus station and is now brownfield/The Kimmerfields Regeneration Scheme. The factory with the big chimney is, I think, the electricity generation station for the trams.

Another close-up from 1920. There are more terraced houses with the railway works beyond (very much the theme, here). In the middle is what you'd get if you asked someone that draws road signs in the 1950s what a factory looks like, with a big chimney.

A similar angle today. The terraces to the right of Corporation Street are still there. To the left is waste ground, although new office buildings are on the extreme leftm

November 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM

jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

More claypits! The chimney on the middle is on ground now occupied by Halfords and The Range. The industrial building on the right about halfway up is the Garrard turntable factory.
Just beyond that is the Wilts and Berks canal (now Fleming Way).

Another close-up of the 1920 image. The northern end of the clay pit with lakes visible, and some trees. Lots of terraced houses beyond, and the railway works beyond those.

The view today. The council offices are in the foreground (on what was the patch of grass in the mid ground on the previous shot). Beyond that is Spring Gardens and further is Halfords/The Range.

November 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM

jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

Everyone knows Queens Park used to be a clay pit / brick works, but I don't think I've seen pictures before.

A closer view of post of the 1920 image. Hunt Street is clear, curving off to the left, with the clay pit (now Queens Park) beyond. Holy Road church is visible in the top left quarter.

Roughly the same view today. The clay pit is now Queens Park (what looks like a small pond in the middle of a lawn is a large lake almost entirely covered in pondweed). Holy Rood is still there, although it's got an extension.

November 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM

jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

As best I can work out, it's taken from (above...) somewhere around the old Adver offices on Victoria Road.

The oblique 1920 view of Swindon from Old Town looking north towards the railway works on the distance. Either it's been snowing or the road surfaces were lighter back then, as people are visible walking along the pavements.
What is now Longs Bar on Union Row is just visible right at the very bottom of the image.

A similar view today, taken from Google Earth. Much of the road layout is similar, although the town centre in particular has changed.
The town hall is still there, although the large (currently mostly vacant) Regent Circus development is in the way.

November 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM

jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

The adverts are fascinating, and everyone seems to be recruiting!
Thinking of going to Gloucester to be a Stressman...

GLOSTER AIRCRAFT CO. LTD.

GLOUCESTER (Member of the Hawker Siddeley Group)

OFFERS YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A REWARDING AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER WITH BRITAIN'S MOST PROGRESSIVE AIRCRAFT COMPANY

Vacancies exist on super-priority work for

DRAUGHTSMEN on PROJECT DEVELOPMENT and AIRCRAFT DESIGN

(Experienced Structural, Electrical and Mechanical Draughtsmen also required. Aircraft experience not essential)

AERODYNAMICISTS (Of some years' experience. Fluent mathematical ability essential)

STRESSMEN (For both strength and flutter calculations)

WEIGHT ENGINEERS (Senior and Junior. To assist in the control of weights during design and development. Previous experience essential)

These appointments are of a progressive and permanent nature, with commencing salaries based on qualifications and experience

Our large modern factory is situated in the Cotswold Hills, with excellent canteen, sports and welfare facilities, hostel accommodation available and assistance given with housing and with removal expenses

Applications stating age, previous employers and experience, etc., should be addressed to the CHIEF DESIGNER

November 29, 2025 at 7:39 PM

jonstump

@jonstump.bsky.social

A Birth announcement in Flight?

This must be Annette Francine, Mary or Lou-Lou.

Turns out Monique was a commercial pilot (one of only seven women), chief pilot flying Dragon Rapides for Island Air Services.

www.ata-ferry-pilots.org/index.php/ta...