Wharf Green in the town centre is an area which has gained a real sense of community.  It is used daily by people having a rest from shopping and those on their lunch break to escape their offices and on other occasions for public events - perhaps no bigger than when the Olympic Torch came to Swindon in 2012, when the square was heaving with people. 

The big screen often broadcasts and people sit to eat their breakfast or lunch and listen to the news or perhaps watch a sporting event.  More structured events include broadcasts of The Proms where the enthusiastic crowd are adorned with Union flags and enjoy watching this annual event taking place in London.

There are often exhibitions here too.  Some photographs below are from the 2008 Swindon Festival of Literature where everyone was invited to dance round the May pole and there were plenty of other activities to keep visitors amused.

Before this area was developed into what is to be seen today it was a seating area with raised grass banks which had paths crossing over it leaving a centre with seating; it even had a statue.  It could have been a very pleasant area but unfortunately it became avoided by many due to parts of it being hidden from view and it became a meeting place for those wanting to drink throughout the day.  Eventually the raised areas were removed and the whole space re-developed.