Former Mechanics Institute, Swindon
This building was originally a Mechanics Institute. It was built in 1853-1855 by Edward Roberts of London in a Gothic Revival style. It was part of Swindon's Railway Workers Village. The ground floor had a library and reading room, coffee room, messroom and baths. The Great Western Railway company set up a separate company, the New Swindon Improvement Co., as a workers' welfare venture. They built an institute, shops and market stalls all in one. the market stalls were needed as fresh produce was not easy to find. The original market stalls were demolished in 1891 to make room for a large extension. A large and varied range of classes and lectures were provided for both men and women. Technical education was particularly important as it kept pace with the progress of apprentices and students through the railway works itself.
