The Park North and South estates were built during the 1950s – a prosperous time in Swindon after the town was declared a designated “overspill” area for London, resulting in rapid growth and expansion.

A variety of companies were attracted to Swindon at this time including Plessey; a company at the forefront of the new electronic age who changed Swindon from a one-industry town to a place where many major companies were set to grow and flourish. Workers flocked to the town creating an urgent need for housing and Swindon Corporation responded quickly acquiring over 1,000 acres of additional land. The land had previously been the farmlands of the Goddard Estate and included Upper and Lower Walcot Farms, Park, Church Manor, Coate and Prince’s Farms.

Building began to the south east of the town and was to take Swindon’s housing development right up to the Borough’s eastern boundary. The estates of Park North and South were laid out, divided from one another by Whitbourne Avenue and on them 3,670 dwellings were built. This included three multi- storey blocks of flats, a popular type of housing throughout the country at this time.

The building of the new estates created a great deal of excitement and interest across the town with the Advertiser reporting on the building work in Park South, describing the area as “A morass of mud, dozens of half completed buildings, large lorries and half made roads with no bus service.”

But to the newcomers on the Park estates none of this seemed very worrying; they had homes of their own at last - which was a luxury. Many of the London overspill families who moved to the area had been forced to endure terrible living conditions and overcrowding in the country’s capital after the Second World War and were looking forward to a fresh start, employment and new housing in Swindon. The houses in Whitbourne Avenue were described as being “gaily decorated in bright colours, with three bedrooms, a bathroom, a spacious sitting and dining room and a kitchenette.”

residents of the newly built estates found life easier after Cavendish Square - a covered shopping precinct was opened. The square was also home to the Park Neighbourhood Centre, opened by Lord Hastings on April 16, 1964 and the Reuben George Hall, which opened within the precinct in 1956 and provided a hall for social activities.

Park Grammar School was the first school to open on the estate in 1960 with 570 children on the roll. The school, which later changed its name to Oakfields School, closed in 1999 with a majority of pupils transferring to Churchfields School in nearby Walcot. Park North Infants School was built in 1959, closely followed by the Junior School in 1961. Park South Infants School opened slightly later in 1963, followed by the junior school in 1964.

The church of Saint John the Baptist has been part of the local community for over 50 years, celebrating its anniversary in 2009. Church members first met in the Health Centre in Priory Road before the Church was built opposite Cavendish Square.

Many residents from Parks were regular visitors to the British Legion Club in Shaftesbury Avenue. The club served the area for many years and arranged social activities for local families including trips to the countryside, other local legion clubs and to the seaside.

In 2005 Swindon Borough Council announced plans for a major redevelopment of Cavendish Square. The shopping centre has now been completely regenerated and in addition a large Cooperative Superstore has been built. New affordable housing has also been built as part of the regeneration.

several community groups exist on the Park estates today and over the years these groups have grown and have played a valuable role within the local community, ensuring that resident’s opinions have been listened to and taken into consideration. Swindon Walcot and Parks Community Group meet regularly with the aim of working to enhance the amenities, facilities and environment for the benefit of local residents. Carol Brownlee is secretary of SWAP, she explains:

“Swindon Walcot and Parks Group was originally formed as a sub committee of the Cavendish Square Renewal Company. After the renewal of Cavendish Square was completed the committee decided to continue working for the benefit of local residents and over the years has gone from strength to strength. The present financial climate has meant that grants are now harder to come by but the committee are still hoping to hold a children’s Christmas party and a luncheon for older residents this year. SWAP is always eager to welcome new members and would love to hear from residents who would like to join or who could help with funding, sponsorship or volunteering.”