Lost Chippenham

The population of Chippenham has grown rapidly in recent decades, transforming it from a sleepy market town to one of the largest towns in Wiltshire today. New suburbs have been built on the outskirts of the town around what would once have been satellite villages or open land. Although many of the historic buildings in the centre of Chippenham have remained, others have gone or are under threat and the way of life on the streets has changed markedly over the years. The town’s cattle market closed in 2004 reflecting the fact that agriculture is no longer such a noticeable force in shaping Chippenham, but other industries have remained a significant part of the town, which is now a major shopping centre and commuter centre.Lost Chippenham presents a portrait of a town over the last century to recent decades that has radically changed or disappeared today, showing not only the industries and buildings that have gone but also the people and street scenes, many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Chippenham will appeal to all those who live in the town or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.

Mike Stone is a local historian who lives in Chippenham. He has written a number of publications on Chippenham, including Chippenham Through Time published by Amberley.