Tame squirrels and campfires: A rare glimpse into the world of girl guiding 100 years ago
We were recently lucky to receive a fascinating hand-made nature logbook as a deposit from Wiltshire North Girlguiding. The book records the natural history observations of the Swindon Rangers (for girls aged 14 to 18) section of the Wiltshire Guides, and covers the period 16 March to 31 December 1924.
Observations on a historic flood in Calne
Wiltshire Buildings Record was recently asked to look at not one, but two houses in Calne at the same time, both not far from the church. Calne is a typical Wiltshire town with a fairly bustling town centre clustered around a fine church, usually a little oasis of peace and quiet beauty. This is what I experienced when I looked at the two buildings, one in Church Street, the other on the opposite side in Mill Street. It has its modest place in history, being the home of Joseph Priestley, the 18th century chemist, and of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who lived with friends at 17 Church Street between 1814-19.
The soul that longed to be loose
“The familiar everyday scene was soon out of sight; I came to other trees, meadows, and fields; I began to breathe a new air and to have a fresher aspiration. I restrained my soul till I reached the sward of the hill; psyche, the soul that longed to be loose.” The Story of My Heart 1883 [part of his description of the journey from Coate Farmhouse to Liddington Hill]
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Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
Cocklebury Road
Chippenham
SN15 3QN
E: cmas@wiltshire.gov.uk
T: 01249 705500
For all conservation enquiries including quotations and object deliveries, please book an appointment in advance.
