Swindon Mechanics' Institute

Swindon Mechanics' Institute is a Grade II* listed building^[1] in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. It is located in the railway village area, which is today part of a conservation area.^[2] The Swindon Mechanics' Institute served workers from the Swindon Railway Works.^[3]

The former Swindon Mechanics' Institute (foreground), 2005

History

Edward Roberts's original design for the Institute^[4]

A library was started in Swindon in 1843, and the following year the Mechanics' Institution was founded "for the purpose of disseminating useful knowledge and encouraging rational amusement" among the Great Western Railway's employees. The first president was Daniel Gooch. There were fifteen founder members, and the library then held about 130 books.^[5]

Paid for via subscription by the GWR workers based at Swindon Railway Works, the building was designed and constructed by Edward Roberts and completed in 1855.^[6] It contained a lending library and provided health services to workers.^[6] It was enlarged in 1892-93 to a design by Brightwen Binyon, after which the committee opened up its health services to other local workers. Nye Bevan, mastermind of the NHS, later said:^[6]

There was a complete health service in Swindon. All we had to do was expand it to the country.

After the Institute closed in 1986, and after succumbing to both vandals and arsonists, it was saved from demolition by the council. In 2003 the building was acquired by Forefront Estates, who have been served with an urgent works notice by the Borough of Swindon.^[7]