Throughout the Swindon area, there are numerous derelict/unused sites – from the defunct Park and Ride at Groundwell to numerous industrial/commercial sites.

Is it surprising that travellers, looking for somewhere to settle, if only temporarily, will take advantage of the unused land in and around Swindon?

Perhaps if the local council and the commercial property owners were to regenerate their sites, (creating jobs), with affordable/social housing and/or commercial units to support local entrepreurs, the travellers ‘problem’ would be resolved.

Pat Norman Highworth Ex-rail staff plea I am keen to talk to more ex-railway staff who have memories of Swindon Railway Works in the 1940s and 1950s.

If you worked on the station, on the footplate or elsewhere locally, I would love to hear your stories too.

Do you have memories of growing up in the railway town before or during the war, or perhaps documents and photos I could copy?

I am particularly keen to talk to people who were in the works telephone exchange and the laboratories or the less well known areas of the works.

Some of you may know that I have incorporated peoples’ stories into two books but I am keen to record more. Please call Swindon 436902 or email p.timms@yahoo.co.uk Peter Timms Buckingham Road Swindon