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  "path": "/news/council-row-swindon-sign-blocking-museum",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-20T19:50:43.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Mobile phones will be BANNED by law in England's schools to 'put children’s interests first'",
    "SAS troops resigning in 'significant numbers' amid war crime 'witch hunts'",
    "Greece scraps new European Union fingerprint checks for British travellers",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nVisitors arriving in Swindon can now catch their first glimpse of a charming thatched farmhouse that had been obscured for years by road signage.\n\nSwindon Borough Council removed a large directional sign at Coate last Friday, finally unveiling the Richard Jefferies Museum to motorists travelling from the M4 and A419.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe community museum occupies the birthplace of the celebrated Victorian nature writer, and staff described the moment as historic.\n\nA spokesman for the museum said: \"A moment in history... changing everyone's view as they enter our town. Thank you Swindon Borough Council!\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe change is expected to have a transformative effect on the site's visibility.\n\nMike Pringle, volunteer-director at the Richard Jefferies Museum, told the Swindon Advertiser the following day that the removal represented a significant step forward for local heritage.\n\nMr Pringle said: \"For us, it's about the fact that for all these years, the museum has been hidden behind that sign, this lovely thatch farmhouse. Now the sight of an old farmhouse offers a very different view for people coming into Swindon.\"\n\nHe questioned why the town would not showcase its attractive features, noting that previously the sign was all travellers from the motorway saw upon arrival.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Pringle revealed he had been lobbying the council on the matter for approximately a decade before they finally agreed to act.\n\nHe said: \"It feels like the council acknowledging Swindon's heritage and saying come on we can do a little bit more to help.\"\n\nThe sign removal formed part of a broader package of improvements agreed by the local authority.\n\nCouncil workers have also installed new paving along Day House Lane and added a dropped kerb to improve accessibility at the site.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Mobile phones will be BANNED by law in England's schools to 'put children’s interests first'\n  * SAS troops resigning in 'significant numbers' amid war crime 'witch hunts'\\\n  * Greece scraps new European Union fingerprint checks for British travellers\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThese enhancements suggest a renewed commitment from Swindon Borough Council to supporting the historic museum and its surroundings.\n\nFor Mr Pringle, the combined works demonstrate that local officials are finally recognising the importance of preserving and promoting the town's cultural assets.\n\nThe sign's removal coincides with ambitious expansion plans at the museum site.\n\nThe Richard Jefferies Museum Trust is currently raising funds to establish a centre for arts and wildlife.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt is envisioned as a versatile cultural venue capable of hosting diverse community events and activities on the historic farm grounds.\n\nA spokesman for the trust said: \"Our little museum has been growing - more events, more activities, more volunteers and more visitors.\"\n\nThe trust believes the time has come for further expansion to accommodate increasing demand.\n\n\"So, we have come up with an idea for a new building to honour the things that were important to Mr Jefferies and are important to us,\" the spokesman added.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Large sign blocking view of historic museum finally removed by Labour council"
}