It is 1940. You step off the end of the branch line in Highworth armed with only the instructions to report to the Post Office, the password you had been given memorised and mentally repeated a thousand times. You present yourself at the Post Office counter 'I am here for Mrs Mabel Stranks'.
And so the covert process would begin. Mable would check the ID and make phone calls to Coleshill House, the HQ of the Auxiliary Units, a British Resistance trained to tackle an invasion by Hitler during the Second World War. A car would arrive to collect the new recruit. Those Mabel confirmed as being 'official' were taken to Coleshill for training via a circuitous route so the location remained a secret. Those she suspected of being 'unofficial' were taken elsewhere.
Mabel Stranks played this key role in Coleshill from 1940 to 1944 at considerable personal risk. The village postmistress, she was known for her discretion and was the sole person trusted with ensuring that Coleshill and the work that went on there remained a secret. It was with great honour that I unveiled a plaque this week in the old post office in Highworth to mark the incredible job she did and the nature of the Unit she was protecting. Never have I felt so proud to represent North Swindon and to ensure that the great tales of the small market town of Highworth, both old and new, are preserved and recognised for posterity.
This week I was also proud to champion Swindon for Channel 4's 'pop up news'. On Tuesday they came to Swindon to discuss the state of the nation's high street and the future of retail here in Swindon. They talked to a variety of different people. Some chose to attack Swindon, bemoaning the fact that a 'once vibrant town... is really struggling'. I find this an insult to all the businesses in our Town, especially the independent ones, who work hard to bring variety to our High Street and keep their businesses going.
It also ignores the cranes on Princes Street putting the finishing touches to the new car park that will replace some of the now scruffy car parks in the Town Centre. Drive to Cabot Circus or the Oracle in Reading and the car parks are new and spotless, we have to compete. It ignores too the £35 million expansion of the Outlet Centre, the £65 million redevelopment of the Oasis and crucially, the construction work now started at Regent Circus on the cinema and restaurant complex. I am proud of Swindon and optimistic about our future. You will never hear me talk our Town down. Regeneration is happening in Swindon and I was proud to champion this on national news.
