Villagers in Box turned out to help the parish council celebrate Heritage Open Days with an exhibition in the Sports Pavilion and an event at the railway tunnel.

The parish council said it was “delighted” with the high attendance at its first Heritage Open Day event on Saturday, September 7.

 Around 100 residents visited an exhibition on the area’s local industrial heritage at the Sports Pavilion in Valens Terrace as part of England’s largest community-led festival of history and culture.

Residents were attracted to the displays, information and informal chat on this year's theme of Routes, Communications and Networks.

The two-hour exhibition focused on the history of these themes in the Box area. Free Heritage Trail leaflets were available for people to follow the routes.

Box Tunnel was built between 1836 and1840 and is 3,312 yards long to connect London to Bristol. Box Tunnel was built between 1836 and1840 and is 3,312 yards long to connect London to Bristol. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Box Parish Council Box chair, Tim Walton, said: “It was very informative and we had a great turnout.

“We were delighted with the positive vibe and there was a good cross-section of people from the village attending.

“It was a fabulous exhibition and there were some good exhibits. It was a good launch for the Heritage Open Days events which will continue in Corsham this week.”

 

 

 

Box Parish Council has recently become a Gateway Ambassador on the Great West Way, a visitor touring route between London and Bristol.

Exhibits featured the history of routes, networks and connections in the Box area, which is well-known for its Great Western Railway and A4 network links.

The name plate at viewing point over Box Tunnel gives its historyThe name plate at the viewing point over Box Tunnel gives its history (Image: Trevor Porter)

These celebrated its connection with the ingenious Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, whose team designed and built the 3,312 yard-long Box railway tunnel.

The exhibition also included displays and information from the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens who maintain and improve the area’s local footpaths.

Among the guests was the newly-elected local MP for Melksham & Devizes, Dr Brian Mathew, who is still a parish and Wiltshire Unitary Councillor for Box and Colerne.

Brian Mathew, the MP for Melksham & Devizes, at the viewing point overlooking the Box Tunnel. Brian Mathew, the MP for Melksham & Devizes, at the viewing point overlooking the Box Tunnel. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Dr Mathew joined the event on a viewing platform overlooking the Box Tunnel following an advice surgery at the Pavilion for his constituents.

Heritage Open Days is a festival that takes place from September 6–15 and offers a chance to explore the history and cultural heritage of various historic places and buildings across Wiltshire.

The festival's theme for 2024 celebrates how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history.