With the eyes of the world’s media currently focussed on the momentous events unfolding in Egypt I thought it would be interesting to see how this country is represented in Wiltshire’s museum collections.

Museums across the county exist to preserve and display the history of Wiltshire and its people as seen through objects, images and documents.

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It is always hard to single out any particular collection as a favourite, but some are obviously outstanding due to the sheer scope and variety of their contents. One of the great treasures at Wiltshire and Swindon Archives is the archive of the Earls of Radnor, of Longford Castle, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Part of the archive is an uncatalogued collection referenced 1946, which has recently been added to thanks to a very generous loan of archive material from the current Earl. This is the subject of a bid for funding to enable us to catalogue and make this fascinating archive more accessible to everyone.

This autograph letter of Elizabeth I forms part of the collection

The uncatalogued archives of the Earls of Radnor in collection 1946 supplement the earlier deposit 490 (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a). The material in 490 contained mainly estate material, and 1946 also includes some manorial and other estate records which will be of enormous importance for local history and will benefit the continuing production of the Victoria County History of Wiltshire. Importantly, however, 1946 broadens the scope of 490, as it also contains a lot of unique material relating to the building, maintenance and governance of Longford Castle and its household, which will be of great interest to anyone researching either the house or its contents, including its famous art collection. The records also include family and personal material. However, the records do not just shed light on nobility but will also be of interest to family historians wanting to find out about ancestors who were involved with the Radnor family. The records include wage books and accounts for both household servants and agricultural labourers, dating back to the early 19th century. Please 'read more' to find out which other interesting documents can be found in the collection...

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The World Cup in South Africa is almost upon us and I’m sure all you avid England supporters are already debating which players should be picked for the squad. As Wiltshire is not well known as a county that ‘sports’ England players; it may surprise you to know that we have produced a few over the years…

John Atyeo's England Shirt, c.1950s

Harold Fleming from Downton was born in 1887 and excelled at all kinds of sport, but was spotted playing football for his local church team by Swindon Football Club’s secretary/manager Sam Allen and invited for a trial. He played for Swindon Town, ‘drifting’ at inside right towards the forward line, balance and ball control being his main attributes.  In his time, Swindon Town were playing in an Edwardian version of today’s premier league. Harold played eleven times for England, but his official total was nine; quite impressive for his day. His best known achievement was in 1912 when he scored a hat-trick against Ireland. He remains the only full international England player to have played for Swindon Town.


George Marks' Baptism Entry, 1915

George Marks was born in Figheldean in 1915 and began his career at his local club, the Salisbury Corinthians, before joining Arsenal as an amateur (and later professional) in 1936. During World War II he served in the RAF but still managed to gain eight caps for England as their goalkeeper. After the war he was sold for £5,000 to Blackburn Rovers, a record fee for a keeper in those days.


Salisbury football match in Victoria Park, Salisbury, early 20th century
Ref: P7957

Peter John Walter Atyeo was born in 1932 in Standerwick, Somerset, moving to Dilton Marsh aged five. He played junior football for Wiltshire Schools and also for Westbury United FC, becoming semi professional at Bristol City FC in 1951 (where he has a stand named after him). He obtained offers from Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and AC Milan whilst at City; reputedly the Italians were willing to pay £50,000 for him. He played at inside right for England, his first match being against Spain in 1955 when England won 4-1. Whilst playing football Atyeo worked as a quantity surveyor and a trained mathematician, teaching at Kingsdown School, Warminster for 20 years. He also wrote for a Plymouth based newspaper, the Sunday Independent. To find out about our other England players, please 'read more'...

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