Comment

PRINCESS Anne will be in the county to officially open the new £11.1 million Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre on Friday.

The Princess Royal will be guest of honour at the Chippenham centre, greeted by a host of local dignitaries including the mayors of Swindon and Chippenham, and the county's Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said: "This ceremony provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the key role the centre is playing in helping thousands of people to trace their family trees and learn more about local history."

HRH will be given a tour of the centre, speaking to staff, and viewing some of the records and rare artefacts it holds.

She will also unveil a commemorative plaque, cut a cake, and be presented with a posy of flowers, from Monkton Park schoolgirl Eleanor Thomas.

Staff will find out later this year if the centre has beaten the other eight nominees for The Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities Civic Building of the Year Competition 2008.

The temperature-controlled archive rooms hold 70,000 photographs, 2,600 microfilms, 3,000 maps and 18,000 books.

The centre also boasts other impressive items including a 400-year-old Ethiopian prayer book, a Scout log book with bark covers, and a memorial card made by Swindon Town football club fans when they beat Arsenal in 1969.

3:52pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment