History centre opens its doors to the public
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
31st October 2007
The doors of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre opened to the public today showcasing the county's rich heritage. The state-of-the-art facility provides people exploring their family roots easy access to information about any Wiltshire ancestors held in the centre's extensive collection. Based in Cocklebury Road in Chippenham, the centre has been designed to make researching a family tree and investigating local history both fun and approachable.

It was built on time and under budget by Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council who are committed to helping people to discover, participate and contribute to local history.

The new archive meets the national standards for archive storage and improved access at the new centre is delivered through larger reading rooms, better internet facilities, and an education room for schools that can also be used by groups and for lectures and demonstrations.

Among the collections held by the history centre is an extensive collection of documents relating to the Great Western Railway, many parish register that play a key role in helping people trace their family roots, all the court records for the county and many more.

The building, which cost £11.1m - £500,000 less than expected - also houses the county's local studies, archaeology, conservation, and museum services and provides a new home for The Wiltshire Building Record.

County council leader Jane Scott and borough leader Cllr Rod Bluh opens the centre today (Wednesday October 31) at 9.30am when they will be on hand to welcome the first visitor.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said: "I am delighted to be opening this state-of-the-art facility that will enable people from Wiltshire and further afield to find out more about Wiltshire and Swindon's rich heritage.

"The new facilities not only safeguard this priceless collection of historic documents but also helps make history more accessible through improved access to the many people who want to learn about Wiltshire and Swindon's past."

Cllr Rod Bluh, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: "Swindon is proud to work closely with Wiltshire to secure the future of these original and irreplaceable documents which vividly chart the history and development of our town and its people. The new centre is easily accessible, being just fifteen minutes from Swindon by train, and I am delighted that it will be open to the public."

The centre will be open to the public, Tuesday to Saturday between 9.30am and 5.30am. More information about the history centre can be found online www.wiltshire.gov.uk.