Game on for Swindon Computer Museum 

New permanent home in Theatre Square means July opening 

 

The Computer Museum in Swindon now has a permanent home, and will re-open to the public in July.

 

The new site in Theatre Square replaces the museum's former display rooms at the University of Bath in Swindon, which closed in spring last year.

 

And after securing a three-year lease from Swindon Borough Council for what were previously the offices of the Children's Information Service, the job of getting the building ready and moving in over 2,500 artefacts has begun.

 

Digital switch: (l to r) the Lady Mayoress, Dr Mike Pringle, Head of Cultural Development in Swindon, Rhona Jack, Blue Click PR, Jeremy Holt, museum founder, Jim Murray, Intel, Simon Webb, museum curator and Swindon Mayor Steve Wakefield

 

"Today is hugely significant day for everyone involved with the museum," said curator Simon Webb.

 

"We can't wait to move in and welcome visitors to what is the first dedicated musueum of computing in the UK." 

 

Thoughts echoed by museum founder Jeremy Holt, who campaigned for thirteen years to get the Museum of Computing off the ground in 2002.

 

"It will be good for the town because the collection of 2,500 items demonstrating Britain’s role in the advances of technology has already attracted worldwide interest.

 

"Two thousand visitors a year from over forty different countries used to visit the old site, and our new home means we can attract many more local visitors."

 

Gaming

 

80% of the collection on show will be in working order and will not only chart the history of computing itself, but also gaming, which can be traced back over thirty years.

 

Educational: exhibits will include old computerised toys and games

"Our previous gaming exhibitions have been our most popular and we’ll be able to give the public what they want – entertainment and a trip down memory lane", added Mr Webb.

 

Sponsored by Intel, the multinational computer chip manufacturer with European Headquarters in Swindon, and local IT PR firm Blue Click PR, plans already include a series of special events and talks.

 

"We particularly wants to hear from IT companies who can give talks about different aspects of computing, as well as schools, whose visits could focus on curriculum areas such as ICT, mathematics, design and technology, business studies and 20th Century social history," said Rhona Jack, MD of Blue Click PR.