A Stitch In Time Exhibition

About

A Stitch In Time is bringing Swindon's railway heritage to life this spring. A stunning new collection of Victorian costumes, handcrafted by a dedicated team of local volunteers, is being officially unveiled at a special exhibition in the historic Carriage Works on London Road.
The exhibition is the centerpiece of an ambitious collaboration between Swindon Heritage Preservation (SHP) and Prime Theatre, funded by the GWR Community Fund. This partnership has evolved from a single-actor performance into the immersive "Meet the Smiths" experience, designed to celebrate the migration stories of the families who built "Railway Town" as part of the nationwide Railway 200 (R200) celebrations.
The talented sewing circle behind the collection was largely formed from the Health Hydro Knitters, the same group renowned for creating the viral knitted swimsuits for the reopening of Swindon's historic Health Hydro.
While they are masters of the needle and thread, this project offered a new horizon. Over a two-day intensive workshop in February, the 14 ladies traded their knitting pins for sewing machines and heritage patterns. The project has been a significant opportunity for the group to challenge their technical abilities, master period-accurate tailoring, and—most importantly—forge new friendships while gaining professional-grade heritage skills.
Bringing the Smith Family to Life
To ensure the project's historical integrity, two local historians researched the actual residents of the Railway Village in 1901. Using these census records, Prime Theatre has developed interactive scripts for four new characters: Mr Robert Smith, 11-year-old Thomas, 18-year-old Caroline, and 13-year-old Minnie.
These characters will lead interactive performances at the Railway Village Museum, engaging visitors in authentic conversations about life during the expansion of the GWR network. The "Meet the Smiths" experience allows visitors to step directly into the world of a 1901 railway family.