Our new project co-ordinator is now in post - and her first day with the Society was also the day we moved into our new office.

Esther Harper, who lives at Worton, near Devizes, has a Masters degree in Museum Studies from Newcastle University, and although she is still only in her mid-twenties, she already has a wealth of experience of working in the heritage sector.

During her year-long stay with the Society, she will be based at 9 East Street, on the edge of the Railway Village, where she will be sharing an office with Daniel Rose, Chairman of the New Mechanics' Preservation Trust.

Society Vice-chair Graham Carter said: "We are delighted to have a base so close to the historic heart of Swindon, and also to be sharing it with key organisations such as the Mechanics' Trust and the Civic Trust. There are ambitious plans for this building - let along the Mechanics' - and there is a real sense of something big happening with our heritage.

"Anybody who is interested in Swindon's history knows that the Mechanics' is absolutely central to it, and as that situation develops, this is the place to be.

"We feel ourselves strongly allied with volunteers who are working to protect and promote Swindon's heritage, and we think Alfred Williams should be at the centre of this movement. We think he can be a rallying point for everybody who's interested in the town's past, and lots of other people besides."

Esther, who can be reached by email at eh@alfredwilliams.org.uk, will be at the office two or three days a week.

Graham Carter welcomed Esther to the Society and said she would be a huge asset to the cause. He added: "Not only is heritage in her blood, as her educational background shows, but she is young, bright and already full of ideas - and clearly able to connect with all kinds of people."

One of Esther's first tasks is to organise the recruitment of volunteers who will be needed to help us stage our big two-day festival in November, as well as some of our other projects.

The pictures below show Esther being welcomed by Daniel Rose at the office in East Street.

Mechanics' Trust article on SwindonWeb

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