IN January 1975 a high-profile national appeal was launched to protect Richard Jefferies birthplace at Coate farm from the bulldozers.
Former poet laureate John Betjeman headed up a team of famous authors and celebrities who included Spike Milligan, Richard Adams, Ronald Blythe, Robert Dougal, Henry Williamson and Johnnie Morris who had all drawn inspiration from the works of the 19th century naturalist and author. They believed it would be vandalism to pull down buildings associated with Swindon's celebrated writer who was passionate about the countryside. Thirty years later we are drawn into an even greater battle to save the fields and trees dear to Jefferies' heart. There are many reasons to save the land at Coate from the developers, preserving our literary heritage is just one of them.
J Saunders, Longcot
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