Byline with pics Trevor Porter

THE Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre opened its doors on Saturday so visitors could take a peep behind the scenes at the work that goes on to record and document our history.

The centre on Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, welcomed people from all over the county to get hands on with mini lectures, demonstrations, displays and stall including tours of strong rooms that hold documents which date back to 1148.

Among the artifacts on show were some oxen bells which date back to the 17th century. The bells originally were used by a farmer in Aldbourne and were purchased at auction in America and brought home.

Michael Marshman, who co-ordinated the open day, said: "It's important that we retain Wiltshire's history and we were very fortunate to have the opportunity of buying and bringing back to Wiltshire these historic bells.”

Archivist Steven Hobbs had the account book of a Lacock carpenter on show. He said: “John Gale was a carpenter at Lacock and in his account book are references to making photographic development equipment for the forefather of modern photography William Henry Fox Talbot in 1841.”

Upstairs in the conservation area Gabriel Flexer was showing off a Japanese Imari vase from the early 1800s. She had carried out repairs to the lid of the vase in readiness for it to go on display.

Joy Rutter, the centre's community history advisor, was showing items that have interesting Wiltshire links, including records from the 1960s and 70s that feature the era's leading musicians, many of whom played in the county both in their early days and once they had hit the top of the charts.